
X 



X^a-vxA. V\^tu^V\^-e:'^5 



THE 



LIFE," ANECDOTES 



AND 



HEROIC EXPLOITS 



OP 




SIIAEL PUTNA 



MAJOR-GENERAL IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 



IcDclani: cS^' 



M. C. YOUNGLOVE & CO., 46 SUPERIOR ST. 

yi:\V YORK : H. LONG & BROTHER. BOSTON: REDDING & CO. BALTIMORE: W, TAVLOR k CO 
NEW ORLEANS : .T. C MORGAN, ST. LOUIS: \V. D. SKILLMAN. 

1849. 



MEMOIRS 



MAJOR-GENERAL PUTNAM. 



IsRAEf. Putnam, who, through a regu-S'"^' letters, though deficient in scho- 
lar gradation of promotion, became tlie lastic accuracy always display the 
sftnior Major-General in the army of the, goodness of his heart, and irequenlly 
United States, and nexl in rank to Gen- J the strength of his native o-eniu.s. He 
'•ral Washington, was born at Salem, had a certain laconic mode of expression, 
Massachusetts, on the 7'th day of Janua- and an unaffected epigrammatic turn, 
cy, 1718. His father. Captain Joseph which characterized most of his writin^rs. 
Putnam, was the son of Mr. John Putnam, To compensate partially for the deficien- 
vvho, with two brothers, came from the cy of education, thouo-h nothing can rc- 
south of England, and were among the moveorcounterbalancetheinconveniences 
first settlers of Salem. -experienced from it in public life, he de- 

When we thus behold a person, from rived from his parents the source of innu- 
the humble walks of life, starting unno- merable advantages in the stamina of a 
ticed in the career of fame, and, by an an- vigorous constitution. Nature, liberal in 
deviating progress through a life of honor, , bestowing on him bodily strength, hardi- 
arriving at the highest dignity in the state, ness, and activity, was by no means par- 
curiosity is str.:ngly excited, and philoso- simonious in mental endowments. While 
phy lov.;s to trace the path of glory from we leave the qualitigs os the understanding 
the cradle of obscurity to the summit of to be developeJ in the process of life, it 
elevation. may not be imp'oper, in this place, to 

Although our ancestors, the first set- designate some of the circumstances 
tiers of this land, amidst the extreme; which were calculated to distinguish him 
pressure of poverty and danger, early in- afterwards as a partisan officer, 
stituted schools for the education of youth ; Courage, enterprise, activity, and per- 
<iesigued for the learned [)rofessions, yet severance, were the first characteristics of 
it was thought sufficient to instruct thos" his mind. There is a kind of mechanic- 
<iestined to labor on the earth, in reading, al courage, the ofispring ot" pride, iiabit, 
writing, and such rudiments of arithme- or discipline, that may push a coward not 
tic as might be requisite tor keeping the ; only t(» perform his duty, but even to ven- 
accounts of their little^transactions wiih-turc on acts of heroism. Putnam's cour- 
rach other. Few farmers' sons had more age was of a different species. It was 
advantages, none less. In this state of ever attended with a serenity of soul, a 
rnediocritj it was the lot of young Put- clearness of conception, a degree of self- 
nam to be placed. His early instruction possession, and a superiority to all (he vi- 
was not considerable, and the active scenes cissitudes of fortune, entirely distinrf 
of life in which he wns afierwards en- from any thing tliat can be produced by 
gaged, prevented the opportunity of great the ferment of blood, and flutter of spir- 
literary improvement. His numerous ori- its, which not unfrequently precipitate 



LIFE, ANP.CDOrES, AND HEROIC EXPLOITS 



men to action, when stimulated by intox- overcome, and the evils of penury femov- 
ication or some other transient exhilara- ed. the inliahitants enjoyed, in the lot of 
lion. The heroic character, thus funri led equality, innocence, and security, scenes 
on constitution and animal spirits, cher- equally delightful with those pictured bv 
ished by education and ideas of personal /the glowing imaginaiion of the poets in 
treedom, confirmed by temperance and their pastoral life, or fabulous golden acre, 
habits of exercise, was completed by the ^Indeed, the condition of mankind was 
dictate of reason, the love of his country, (never more enviable. Neither disparity 
and an invincible sense of duty. Such of age and fortune, nor schemes of ambi^ 
w-^rc the qualities and principles that en-^tion an 1 grandeur, nor the pride and ava- 
abied him to meet unappalled the shaft3<rice of high-minded and mercenary pa- 
of ad^^ersity, and to pasa in triumph (rents, interposed those obstacles to the/ 
through the furnace of affliction. Hinion of congenial souls, which frequent-' 

His disposition was as frank and gen-^Iy in more polished society, prevent, em- 
erons as his mind was fearless and iiide- bitter, or destroy all the felicity of the 
pendent. He disguised nothing ; indeed connubial state. Mr. Putnam, before he 
beseemed incapable of disguise. Perhaps attained the twenty-first year of his awe, 
in the intercourse he was ultimately ^^married Miss Pope, daughter of Mr. John 
obliged to have with an artful world, his 'Pope, of Salem, by whom ho hard ten 
sincerity, on some occasions, outwent his ^children. He lost the wife of his youth 
discretion. Although he had too much^in IT^-l. Some time after he married 
suavity in his nature to commence a quar- Mrs. Gardiner, widow of the late Mr.Gardi- 
rel, he had too much sensibility not to;ner, of Gardiner's Island, by whom h ■ 
feel, and too much honor not to resent an had no issue. She died in 1777. 
intended insult. The first time he went! In the year 1749 he removed from Sa- 
to Boston he was insulted for his rusticity !em to Pomfret, an inland, fertile town, ii> 
by a boy of twice his size and age ; after Connecticut, forty niiles east of Hartford ; 
bearing the sarviasms until his patience shaving here purchased a considerable tract 
was worn out, he challenged, engaged, ,; of land, he applied himself successfully 
and vanquished his unmannerly antago-^ to agriculture. 

ni3t. to the great diversion of a crowd of < The first years on a new farm, are not 
apectalors. While a^tripling, his ambi- (however exempt from disasters and disap- 
tion was to perforin the labor of a man, )pointments, which can only be remedied 
HTid to excel in athletic diversions. In that by stubborn and patient industry. Our 
rnde, but masculine age, whenever the farmer, sntficiently oiccupied in budding a 
vdlage youth assembled on their usual ho. ise and b;irn, felling woods, making 
occasions of festivity, pitching the l)ar, run- fences, sowing grain, planting (orchards, 
iiiiig, leaping, and wrestling, were favorite and taking care of his stock, had to en- 
.unusements. At such gymnastic exerci-; counter, in turn, the calamities o(?casion- 
ses, in which, during the heroic times of-ed by drought in suni'iner, blast in har- 
ancient Greece and Rome, conquest was vest, loss of cattle in winter, and the des- 
con^idered as the promise of future niilita-olation of bis sheep fold by wolves. Ir» 
ry fame, he bore the palm from almost one night he had seventy fine sheep anrl 
every ring. ; goats killed, besides many lambs and kid.-t 

Before the refinements of luxury, and 'wounded. This havoc was committed by 
the consequent increase of expenses, had| a she wolf, which, with her annual whelps, 
rendered the maintenance of a family in- hid for several years infested the vicinity, 
convenient or burdensome in America, Th ^ young were commonly destroyed by 
the ssxes entered into matrimony at an the vigilance of the hunters, but the old 
early age. Competence, attainable by all, one was too sagacious to come within the 
was the limit of pursuit. After the hard- reach of gun-shot : on being closely pur- 
ships of making a new settlement 'were sued she would generally fly to the west- 



OF major-g.<:neral PUTNAM. 5 

frn woods, and return the next winter;'ened round his legs, by which he mi<Tht 
with another litter of whelps. *. be pulled back, at a concerfel signal, he 

This wolf at length becune such an Entered head foremost, with the blazin;ir 
intoler;ible nuisance, that Mr. Putnam ^^torcli iu his hand. 

rritered into a combination with five of his [ The aperture of the den, o'l the east 
neighbors, to hunt alternately until they^side of a very high ledge of rocks, is 
could destroy her. Two by rotatiori, ^about two foet square ; from thence it de- 
we'c to be constantly in pursuit. It was;scends obliquely fi 'teen feet, then running 
known that, having lost the toes from one^horizont illy a'lout ten more, it ascends 
foot, by a steel trap, she m idc one track ^gradually sixteen feet tow:irds its termiii- 
shorter than the other. By this v. sstigg, Ration. The sides of this subterraneous 
the pursuers recognised, in a light snow, ^cavity are composed of smooth and solid 
the route of this pernicious animal, llav- frocks, which seem to have b3en divided 
ing followed her to Connec'icut river, and - from each other by some farmer earth- 
found she hid turned back in a direcfjquake. The top and bottom are also ot^ 
course towards Porafret, they immedia'ely ^stone, and the entrance, in winter, being 
returned, and by ten o'clock ne.vt mor- Jicovered with ice. is exceedingly slippery 
ning the blood-hounds had driven her into It is in no place high enough tor a rnao 
a den, about three miles distmt from the to raise him-self upright, nor in any part 
house of Mr. Putnam. The people soon /more thin three feet in width, 
collected wilhdogs, guns, straw, fire and Hiving grope 1 h's passage to the hori- 
.sulphur, to attack the common enemy, zontal part of the den, the most terrifv- 
With this apparatus several unsuccessful in* darkness app ^ared in front of the ditti 
efforts were made lo forje her Irom the ! circle of light afforded by his t irch. it 
den. The hounds come back badly ^i was silent, as the house of death. None 
wounded, and refused to return. The (but the monsters of the desert had ever 
smoke of blading straw had no effect ; nor i before explore! this solitary mansion c4 
did the fumes of burnt brimstone, with ;horror. Cautiously proceeding onward, 
which the cavern was filled, compel her to he came to the ascent, which he slowly 
quit the retirement. Wemied with such 'ra'>unted on his hands and knees until he 
fruitless a'tempts, which had brouglit the discovered the glaring eye-balls of the 
time to ten o'clock at night, Mr. Putnam ;wo!f who was sitting at the extremity of 
tried once more to make his dog enter, 'the cavern. Started at th3 sight of fire, 
but in vain; he proposed to his negro she gnashed her teeth, and gave a sullen 
man to go down into the CTv^rn and shoot ,'growl. As soon as he had made the ne- 
the wolf: the negro declined the haz ir- ' cessary discovery, he kicked the r.ipc as a 
«lous service. Then it w is that the m >s-\signal for pulling him out. 'J he peop'e Kt 
tcr, angry at the disappointment, and de : th Mnouth of the den, who had listened 
daring that he was ashamed to have a 'with painful anxiety, hearing the growl- 
ooward in his Tunily, resolved to destroy iiigofth^ wolf and su iposing their friend 
the ferocious beast, lest she should escape ,to be in the most i.mminent danger, drew 
through so!ne unknown fissure of the rock. J; him forth with such celerity that his shlri. 
Jlis neighbors strongly remonstrated was stripped over his head and his skti 
against th:i perilous enterprize : but he,)severe!y hicerated After he had adjust- 
knowing thar wild animals were intimida-!ed his clothes, and lo.ideJ his gun wi'.h 
it^d by fire, and having provided several nne buck-shot, hold ng a torch in ont- 
>trips of birch bark, the only combustible hind and the muskef in the other, he de- 
inateria! which he cou'd obtain, that w )uld scende I the second time. When he drew 
cuibrd light in th s deep and darksome • nearer thin before, the wolf assuming a 
cive, prepared for his descent. Having, 'still more fierce and terrible a[>peiran:*c, 
accordingly, divested himse'fof his coatj howling, rolling her eyes, smpping her 
and wiistcoa*, and having a long rope fast- ) teeth, and dropping her he id between her 



L1FI-, ani:jdoti:s, and heroic exploits 



legs, was fviden'Iy in the attitude mid on beniitiful landscapes, there is likewis*" 
the point of sprinfjing at him. At the something elevating to the soul, in the 
critical instant he levelled and fired at her consciousness of being lord of the soil, 
head. Stunned with the shock, and snf- and having the power of creating them, 
focated with the smoke, he immediately 'I'he man can scarcely be guilty of a sor- 
found himself drawn out of the cave, did action, or even to descend to an un- 
lUit having refreshed himselt', and ])ermit- generous thought, who, removed from the 
ted the smoke to dissii)ale, he wont down ap[)r< hension of want, sees his farm daily 
the third time. Once more he came with- melior.iting and assuming whatever ap- 
iii siglil of the wolf, who appearing very peirance he pleases to prescribe. This 
passive, he ;i^plied the torch to her nose, situation converts the farmer into a spe- 
and perceiving her dead, he took hold of cies of rural philoso])hpr, by inspiring an 
her ears, and then kicking the rope, the honest pride in his rank as a freeman, 
people al)()vp, with no small exultation iktiering the natural propensity i"or per- 
draggcd them both out together. s^nal independence, and nourishing an 

1 have offered these facts in greater de- unlimited hospitality and philanthropy in 
tail, beciuse they contain a display of his soci'd character. 

character; and because they have been But the time had now arrived which 
erroneously related in several European was to turn the instruments of husbandry 
publications, a!id very much mutilated in into weaponsof hostility, and to exchange 
the history of Connecticut, a work as re- the hunting of wolves, who had ravaged 
))lete with" falsehood as destitute of genius, 'tiie sheep folds, for the pursuit after sava- 
printed in London. g^"^' "'''^^ ^''^ desolated the frontiers. Mr. 

Prosperity, at length, begun to attend the I'utuam was about thirty- seven years old, 
agricultural affairs of Mr! Putnam. He when the war between England an I 
was acknowledged to be a skillful and in-, France, which preceded the last, broke 
defatigable manager. His fields vverejout in America. His reputation must 
mostly enclosed with stone walls. Ui.s have been favorably known to the gov- 
crops commonly succeeded, bcjcause the ernment, since among the first troops that 
luid was well tilled and mannred. His) were levied by Connecticut, in 1755, he 
pastures and meadows became luxuriant. 'was apjininled to the command of a com- 
His cattle were of the best breed, and in pany in Lyman's regiment of Provincials, 
good order. His garden and fruit-trees I have meniioned his age at this period, 
prolific. With the avails of the surplus- expressly to obviate a prevalent opinion, 
age of his produce, foreign articles were; thai he was far advanced in life when he 
purchased. Within doors he found the^ commenced his military service, 
compensation of his labors, in the plenty I Ashe was extremely popular, he found 
of excellent provisions, as well as in th'eino difficidty in enlisti:;g his complement 
happiness of domestic society. of recruits from the most hardy, enterpri- 

A more particular description of his /sing, and respectable young men of hisi 
transition from narrow to easy circum- 'neighborhood. The regiment joined th'». 
-stances might be given; but the mind army, at iheopening of the campaign, not 
that shall have accpiired an idea of the 'far distant from Crown Point. Soon af- 
habits of labor and simplicity, to which ter his arrival at can)p, he became inti- 
the industrious colonists were accustomed, mately acquainted with the famous parti- 
will readily supply the omission. The san Captain, afterwards Major Rogers, 
effect of this gradual acquisiti)n of prop- with whom he was frequently associated 
erty, generally f ivorable to individual vir- in traversing the wilderness, reconnoiter- 
tue and public felicity, should not, tiowev-ing the enemy's lines, gaining intelligence, 
or, be passed over in silence. If there island taking slrraggling prisoners, as well 
.-something fascinating in the charms of a^,as in bL^ating up the qu irters and surpri- 
couniry life, from the contemplation of'singthe advanced pickets of their army- 



OF MAJOR-GENERAL PUTNAM. 



For these operations a corps of rangers^ Baroa Dieskau. The briiliancy of thivS 
were formed from the irregulars. The (success, was necessary to console the 
first time Rogers and Putnam were de-? Americans for the disgrace of that disas- 
tached with a party of these light troops, ,ter. The time for which the colonial 
it was the fortune of the latter to preserve, troops engaged to serve terminated with 
with his own hand, the life of the former, the'campaign. Putnam was re-appointed, 
and to cement their friendsliip with the i and again took the field in 1756. 
t)lood of one of their enemies. ) Few are so ignorant of war as not to 

The object of this expedition was to ^ know, that military adventures, in the 
obtain an accurate knowledge of the po-( night, are always extremely liab'e to acci- 
sition and state of the works at Crown -dents. Captain Putnam, having been 
Point. It was impracticable to approach /commanded to reconnoitre the enemy's 
with their party near enough for this pur- !camp at the Oocns near Ticotideroga, 
pose, without being discovered. Alone, took the brave Lieutenant Robert Durkee 
the undertaking was sufficiently hazard-^ as his companion. Li attempting to exe- 
ous, on account of the swarms o'' hostile ')Cute these orders, he narrowly missed be- 
Indians who infested the woods. Our two ^ ing taken himself in the first instance, 
partisans, however, left all their men at ai^and killing his friend in the second. It 
convenient distance, with strict orders to / was customary for the British and Pro- 
continue concealed until their return, vincial troops to place their fires round 
Having thus cautiously taken their ar- their camp, which frequently exposed thern 
rangements, they advanced with the pro- to the enemy's scouts and patroles. A 
foundest silence in the evening; and lay, contrary practice, then unknown in the 
during the night, contiguous to the for- English army, prevailed amongthe French 
tre^s. Early in the morning they ap- and Indians. The plan was much more 
proached so close as to be able to give sat- ^rational ; they kept their fires in the cen- 
isfactory information to the General who,' tre, lodged their men circularly at a dis- 
had sent them, on the several points to tance, and posted their sentinels in the 
wliich their attention had been directed : surrounding darkness. Our partisans ap- 
but Captain Rogers, being at a little dis- proached the camp, and supposing the 
taiice from Captain Putnam, fortuitously , sentries were within the circles of fires, 
met a stout Frenchman, who instantly crept upon their hands and knees with the- 
seized his fusee with one hand, and with greatest possible caution, until, to their 
the other attempted to stab him, while he utter astonishment, they fornd themselves 
called to an adjacent guard for assistance, iu the thickest of the enemy. The senti- 
The guard answered. Putnam, perceiv- nels, discovering them, fired, and slightly 
ing the imminent danger of his friend, wounded Durkee in the thigh. He and 
and that no time was to be lost, or farther ; Putnam had no alternative. They fled, 
alarm given by firing, ran rapidly to them. The latter, being foremost, and scarcely 
while they were yet struggling, and with ; able to see his hand before him, soon 
the but-end of his piece laid the French- plunged into a clay-pit. Durkee, almost 
man dead at his feet. The partisans, to , at the identical moment, came tumbling 
elude pursuit, precipitated their flight, < after. Putnam, by no means pleased af 
joined the party, and returned without loss finding a companion, and believing him to 
to the encampment. Not many occasions be one of the enemy, lifted his tomahawk 
occurred for the partisans to display their to give the deadly blow, when Durkee, 
talents in the course of this summer. The' who had followed so closely as to know 
war was checkered with various fortune him, inquired whether he had escaped un- 
in different quarters — such as the total de-Uiurt. Captain Putnam instantly recogni- 
feat of General Braddock, and the splen- zing his voice, dropped his weapon : and 
did victory of Sir William Johnson over ) both, springing from the pit, made good 
the French troops, commanded by the;, their retreat to the neighboring ledges, 



8 LIFE, ANECDOTES, AND HEROIC EXPLOITS 

amidst a shower of random sho(. There fCes, on their return to Fort Edward. Our 
ihcy betook themselves to a large log, by'partisans, sensible of the probability of 
the side of which they lodged the remain- such an attempt, and being full twenty 
dcr of the night. Before they lay down, (.miles from their boats, strained every 
Captain Putnam said he had a little rumnerveto reach them as soon as possible: 
in his canteen, which could never be more which they effected the same night. Next 
acceptable or necessary ; but on cxamin-'^day. when they had returned as far as 
ino- the canteen, which hung under his'Sabbath Day point, they discovered, on 
arm, he found the enemy had pierced it! shore, the before mentioned detachment 
w^ith their balls, and that there was not a [of three hundred men, who had passed 
drop of liquor left. The next day heUhem in the night, and who now, on per- 
found fourteen bullet holes in his blanket, ^ceiving our party, took to their boats with 
In the same summer, a body of the en- the greatest alacrity, and rowed out to 
rmy, consisting of six hundred men, al-^give battle. They advanced in line, main- 
tacked the baggage and provision wag- taining a good mien, and felicitating 
ons at a place called the half-way-brook; themselves upon the prospect of an easy 
it being equidistant from Fort Edward, conquest, from the great superiority of 
and the South end of Lake George. Hav-' their numbers. Flushed with these ex- 
irig killed the oxen, and plundered the pectations, they were permitted to come 
wagons, they retreated with their booty, (; within pistol-shot before a gun was fired. 



without having met with such resistance. At once, the wall-pieces and blunderbus- 
as might have been expected from the ^ses, which had been brought to rake them 



^trength of the escort. General Webb, (in the most vulnerable point, were dis- 
on receiving intelligence of this disaster, charged. As no such reception had been 
ordered the Captains Putnam and Rogers) foreseen, the assailants were thrown into 
•' to take one hundred volunteers in boats, |the utmost disorder. Their terror and 
with two wall-pieces and two blunderbus-^cont^usion were greatly increased by a 
ses, and to proceed down Lake George to Kvell-directed and most destructive fire of 
a certain point; there to leave the batteaux! the small arms. The larger piecesbeing 
under a proper guard, and thence to cross -reloaded, without annoyance, continued 
by land, so as to harass, and, if practica-; alternately with the musketry to make 
ble, intercept the retreating enemy at theMreadful havoc, until the route was com- 
narrows." These orders were executed /pleted, and the enemy driven back to Ti- 
with so much punctuality, that the party ^conderoga. In this action, one of the 
arrived at the destined place half an hour(bark canoes contained twenty Indians, of 
before the hostile boats came in view, whom fifteen were killed. Great num- 
ITere they waited, under cover, until the bers, from other boats, both of French 
<nemy entered the narrows, with their bat- and Indians, were seen to fall overboard : 
teaux loaded with plunder. Then the^but the account of their total loss could 
volunteers poured on them volley after ^ never be ascertained. Rogers and Put- 
volley, killed many of the oarsmen, sunk)nam had but one man killed, and two 
a number of their batteaux, and would -slightly wounded. They now landed on 
soon have destroyed the whole body of the 'the point, and having refreshed their men 
enemy, had not the unusual precipitancy at leisure, returned in good order to the 
of their passage carried them through the British camp. 

narrows into the wide part of South Bay, i Soon after these rencounters, a singular 
where they were out of the reach of mus-<!kind of race was run by our nimble-foot- 
ket-shot. The shattered remnant of the ?ed Provincial and an active youngFrench- 
little fleet soon arrived at Ticonderoo-.i, )man. The liberty of each was by turns 
and gave information that I'utnau and Rog-' at stake. General Webb, wanting a pris- 
<rs were at the narrows. Afresh party <;oner for the sake of intelligence, sent 
'vas instantly detached to cut them in pie Capt. Putnam, with five men, to procure 



OF MAJOilGENERAL PUTNAM. 



9 



one. The Captain concealed himself near j Oswego. That fort, which had been 
the road which leads from Ticonderoga;- builtby General Shirley, to protect the 
to the Ovens. His men seemed fond of) peltry trade, cover the country on the Mo- 
showing themselves, which unsoldicr-like^ hawk river, and facilitate an invasion of 
conduct he prohibited with the severest; Canada, by Frontt^nac and Niagara, fell 
reprehension. This rebuke they imputed/ into the hands of the enemy, with a gar- 
to unnecessary fear. The observation i.s rison of sixteen hundred men, and one 
as true as vulgar, that persons distinguish-) hundred pieces of cannon, 
able for temerity, when there is no appa-J The active services of Captain Putnam 
rent danger, are generally poltroons when-) on every occasion attracted the admira- 
ever danger approaches. They had notation ol the public, and induced the Legis- 
lain long in the high grass, before aOature of Connecticut to promote him to a 
Frenchman and an Indian passed — the In-^; majority in 1757. 

tiian was considerably in advance. As^ Lord Loudon was then Commander-in- 
soon as the former had gone by, Putnam, > Chief of the British forces in America, 
relying on the fidelity of his men, sprang) The expedition against Crown Point, 
up, ran, and ordered them to follow. Af-^ which from the commencement of hoslili- 
ter running about thirty rods, he seized' ties had been in contemplation, seemed 
the Frenchman by the shoulders, and) to give place to a more important opera- 
Ibrced him to surrender : But his prison- >tion that was meditated against Louisburg. 
or, looking round, perceiving no other en-j, But the arrival of the Brest squadron at 
emy, and knowing the Indian would be that place prevented the attempt; and the 
ready in a moment to assist him, began to' loss of Fort William Henrj served to 
make an obstinate resistance. Putnam,) class with the two former unsuccessful 
finding himself betrayed by his men into^ campaigns. It was rumored, and partial- 
a perilous dilemma, let go his hold, step-, ly credited at the time, that General 
ped back, and snapped his piece, which' Webb, who commanded in the northern 
was levelled at the Frenchman's breast.) department, had early intimation of the 
It missed fire. On this he thought it most) movement of the French army, and might 
prudent to retreat. The Frenchman, in( have effectually succored the garrison, 
turn, chased him back to nis men, wno, at 'The subsequent facts wilrpjace the affair 
last, raised themselves from the gr.-^ss ;; in its proper light. 

which his pursuer espying in good time^ A few days before the siege, Major PtJt- 
for himself, made his escape. Putnam.) nam, with two hundred men. escorted 
mortified that these men had frustrated J General Webb from Fort Edward to Fort 
iiis success, dismissed them with disgrace ;) William Henry. The object was to ex- 
and not long after accomplished his ob-i amine the state of this fortification, which 
ject. Such little feats, as the capture ol) stood at the southern extremity of Lake 
a single prisoner, may be of infinite-) George. Several abortive attempts hav- 
ly more consequence than some, who ing been made by Major Rogers and olh- 
unacquainted with military affairs,* ers in the night season, Major Putnam 
would be apt to imagine. In a coun-) proposed to go down the lake in open day- 
try covered with woods, like that' light, land at Northwest Bay, and tarry on 
part of America, then the seat of war, the shore until he could make satisfactory 
difficulty of procuring, and the importance discovery of the enemy's actual situation 
of possessing good intelligence, can) at Ticonderoga and the adjacent poits. 
scarcely be coiiceive:^ even by European The plan which he suggested, of landng 
commanders. They, however, who know) with only five men, and sending back the 
its value, will not appreciate lightly the) boats, to prevent detection, was deemed 
services af an able partisan. ) too hazardous by the General. Atlength, 

Nothing worthy of remark happened however, he was permitted to proceed 
during this campaign, except the loss or with eighteen volunteers, in three whale 



10 



LIFE, ANECDOTES, AND HEROIC EXPLOITS 



boats; bul before he arrived at North- 
west Bay, he discovered a l)ody of men 
on an island. Immediately he left two 
boats to fish at a distance, that they might 
not occasion an alarm, and returned with 
the information. I'he General, seeing 
Inm rowing back with great velocity, in a 
single boat, concluded the others were 
captured, and sent a skiff, with orders for 
him alone to come on shore. After ad- 
vising the General of the circumstances, 
he urged the expediency of returning to 
make farther discoveries, and bring off 
the boats. Leave was reluctantly given. 
He found his people, and, passing still on- 
ward, discovered by the aid of a good per- 
spective glass, a large army in motion. 
By this time, several of the advanced ca- 
noes hnd nearly surrounded him, but by 
the swiftness of his whale-boats, he es- 
caped through the midst of them. On 
his return he informed the General mi- 
nutely of all he had seen, and intimated 
his conviction that the expedition mu-t 
obviously be destined against Fort Will- 
iam Henry, That commander, strictly 
enjoining silence on the subject, directed 
him to put his men under oath of secrecy, 
and to prepare, without loss of time, to 
return to the liead-quarters of the army. 
Major Putnam observed, he " hoped his 
excellency did not intend to neglect so fair 
an opportunity of giving battle, should 
the enemy presume to land." "What do 
you think we should do here?" replied 
the General. Accordingly, the next day 
he returned, and the day after Colonel 
Monro was ordered from Fort Edward, 
with his regiment, to re-enforce the gar- 
rison. That officer took with him all his 
rich baggage and camp equippage, not- 
withstanding Major I'utiiam's advice to 
tlie contrary. The day following his ar- 
rival, the enemy landed, and besieged the 
place. 

The iMarcpiis de Montcalm, Command- 
er-in-Chief for the French in Canada, in- 
tending to take advantage of the absence 
of a large proportion of the British force, 
which he understood to be employed un- 
der Lord Loudon against Louisbourg, had 
assembled whatever men could be spared 



from Ticonderoga, Crown-Poinl, and the 
other garrisons : with these he had com- 
bined a considerable corps of Canadians, 
and a larger body of Indians than had 
ever before been collected ; making in the 
whole an army of nearly eight tliousand 
men. Our garrison consisted of nearly 
tweniy-five hundred, and was commanded 
by Colonel Monro, a very gallant officer, 
who found the means of sending exprrss 
after express to General Webb, with an 
account of his situation, and the most 
pressing solicitation for succor. In the 
mean time, the army at Fort Edward, 
which originally amounted to about four 
thousand, had been considerably aug- 
mented by Johnson's troops and the mili- 
tia. On the eighth or ninth day after tho 
landing of the French, General Jolmson, 
in consequence of repeated applications, 
was suffered to march for the relief of the 
garrison, with all the provincials, militia, 
and Putnam's ranger? ; but before they 
had proceeded three miles, the order was 
countermanded, and they returned. M. 
de Montcalm informed Major Putnam, 
when a prisoner in Canada, that one ot 
his running Indians saw and reported 
this movement ; and, upon being ques- 
tioned relatively to the numbers, answered 
in their figurative style, " If you can 
roiint the leaves on the t'ecs. you can count 
them." In effect, the operations of the 
siege were suspended, and preparations 
made for re-enibarking, when another ol 
the runners reported that the detachment 
had gone back. The Marquis de Mont- 
calm, provided with a good train of ar- 
tillery, meeting with no annoyance from 
the British army, and but inconsiderable 
interruption from the garrison, accelera- 
ted his approaches so rapidly, as to obtain 
possession of the fort in a short time after 
completing the investiture. An inter- 
cepted letter*from General W\'bb, advi- 
sing the surrender, was sent into the fort 
to Colonel Monro by the French general. 
The garrison engaged not to serve for 
eighteen months, and were permitted lo 
inarch out with the honors of war. But 
the savages regarded not the capitulation, 
nor could they be restrained by the ut- 



OF MAJOR-GENERAL PUTNAM. 



n 



most exertion of the crminanding officer, 
from committifiCT the most otitrageous acts 
<»i cruelty. They stripped and plundered 
al! the prisoners, and nniirdered great 
numbers in cold blood. Those wiio es- 
caped by llight, or the protection of the 
French, arrived in a torlorn condition at 
Fort Edward. Among these was the 
commandant of the garrison. 

The d;iy succeeding this deplorable 
scene of carnage and barbarity, Major 
Putnam having been despatched with his 
rangers, to watch the motions of the ene- 
ii5y. came to the shore, wlien their rear 
was scarcely beyond the reach of musket- 
shot. They had carried offr.U the cannon, 
stores, and water-craft. The fort was de- 
molished. The barracks, the out-bouse-, 
and sutllers' booths, were heaps of ruins. 
The fires, not yet extinct, and the smoke, 
otfensive from the mucilaginous nature of 
the fuel, but illy concealed innumerab.e 
I'ragments of human skulls and bones, 
and, in some instances, carcasses half 
consumed. Dead bodies, weltering in 
blood, were every where to be seen, viola- 
ted, with all the wanton mutilations of 
savage ingenuity. More than one hun- 
dred women, some with their brains ooz- 
ing from the battered heads, others with 
their whole hair wrenclied collectively 
with the skin from th.e bloody skulls, and 
many, with their ihroats cut, most inhu- 
manly stabbed and butchered, lay stripped 
entirely naked, with their bowels torn out, 
and afforded a spectacle too horrible for 
description. 

Not long after this misfortune, General 
Lyman succeeded to the command of 
Fort Edward. He resolved to strengthen 
i'. For this purpose, one hundred and 
fifty men were employed in cutting timber. 
To cover them, Captain Little was posted 
witli fifty Briiish regulars, at the head of 
a thick swamp, about one hundred rods 
eastward of the fi>rt, to which his com- 
munication lay over a tongue of land, 
formed on the one side by the swamp, 
and by a creek on the other. 

One morning, at day-break, a sentinel 
saw indistinctly several birds, as he con- 
ceived, come from the swamp, and fly 



over him with incredible swiftness. While 
he was ruminating on these wonderful 
birds, and endeavoring to form some idea 
of their color, shape, and size, an arrow 
buried itself in a limb of a tree just above 
his head. He now discovered the quali- 
ty and design of these winged messengers 
of fate, and gave the alarm Jnstantlv 
the working party began to retreat along 
the defile. A large body of savages had 
concealed themselves in the morass be- 
fore the guard was posted, and were at- 
tempting in this way to kill the sentinel 
without noise, with design to surprise the 
whole party. Finding the alarm given, 
they rushed from the covert, shot and 
tomahawked those who were nearest at 
hand, and pressed hard on the remainder 
of the unarmed fugitives. Captain Lit- 
tle marched to their relief, and, by pour- 
ing on the Indians a well limed fire, 
checked the pursuit, and enabled such of 
the fatigue-men as did not fall on the first 
onset, to retire to the fort. Thither he 
sent for assistance, his little party being 
almost overpowered by numbers. Hut 
the commandant, imaginingthat the main 
body of the enemy were approaching for 
a general assault, called in his outposts, 
and shut the gates. 

Major Putnam lay, with his rangers, on 
an island adjacent to the fort. Having 
heard the musketry, and learned that his 
friend Captain Little was in the utmost 
peril, he plunged into the river atthe head 
of his corps, and waded through the wa- 
ter towards the place of engagement. 
This brought him so near to the fort, 
that General Lyman, apprized of his de- 
sign, and unwilling that the lives of a few 
more brave men should be exposed to 
what he deemed inevitable destruction, 
mounted the parapet, and ordered him to 
proceed no farther. The major only took 
time to make the best short apology he 
could, and marched onward. This is the 
only instance, in the course of his milita- 
ry service, wherein he did not pay the 
strictest obedience to orders ; and in thi.s 
instance his motive was highly commen- 
dable. But when such conduct, even if 
sanctified by success, is passed over with 



13 



LIFE, ANECDOTES, AND HEROIC EXPLOITS 



impunity, it demonstrates that all is not 
right in the milit iry system, in adisciplin- 
cd army, such as that of the United States 
became under General VVashinsrton, an 
officer guilty of a sliorhter violation of 
orders, however elevated in rank or meri- 
torioui? in service, would have been 
brought before the bar of a court martial. 
Were it not for the seductive tendency of 
a brave man's example, I miajht have been 
spared the mortification of making these 
remarks on the conduct of an officer, 
whose distinguishing characteristics were 
promptitude for duty and love of subordi- 
nation, as well as cheerfulness to encoun- 
ter every species of difficulty anddanger. 
The rangers of Putnam soon opened 
their way for a junction with the little 
iiandful of regular^, who still obstinately 
maintained their ground. By his advice, 
the whole rushed impetuously with shouts 
and huzzas into the swamp. The sava- 
ges fled on every side, and were chnsed, 
with no inconsiderable loss on their part, 
so long as the day-light lasted. On ours, 
only one man was killed in the pursuit. 
His death was immediately avenged by 
that of the Indian who shot him. This 
Indian was one of the runners, a chosen 
body of acti"e young men, who are used 
not only to procure intelligence and con- 
vey tidings, but. also to guard the rear on 
a retreat. 
Here it will not be unseasonable to men- 
tion some of the customs in war peculiar 
to the aborigines, which on the present 
as well as other occasions, they put in 
practice. Whenever a retreating, espe- 
cially a flying party, had gained the sum- 
mit of a rising ground, they secreted one 
or two runners behind trees, copses, or 
i)ushes, to fire at the enemy on their as- 
cending the hill. This commonly occa- 
sioned the enemy to halt and form for 
battle. In the interim the runners used 
such dexterity as to be rarely discovered, 
or if discovered, they vanished behind 
the height, and rejoined their brother 
warriors, who, having thus stolen a dis- 
tance. Were oftentimes seen by their pur- 
suers no more. Or if the pursuers were 
too eager, they seldom faded to atone 



for their rashness by fallinsr i ito an am- 
buscade. The Monawks, who were at- 
terwards much employed in scouts under 
the orders of Major Putnam, and who 
were perfectly versed in all the wiles and 
stratagems of their countrymen, showed 
him the mode of avoidin<; the evils of ei- 
ther alternative. In suspicious thickets, 
and at the borders of every considerable 
eminence, a momentary pause was made, 
while they, in dilferent parts, penetrated 
or ascended with a cautiousness that can- 
not be easily described. They seemed all 
eye and ear. VVhen they found nu lurk- 
ing mischief they would beckon with the 
hand, and pionounce tho word " Owish," 
with a long labial hissing, the O being al- 
most quiescent. This was ever '.he 
watchword foe the main body to advance. 

Indians uho went to war together, and 
who, for any reason, found it necessarv 
to sepaiate into diflfarent routes, always 
left two or dire3 runners at the place of 
sep iration, to give timely notice to eiiher 
party in case of pursuit. 

If a warrior chanced to straggle and 
loose himself in the woods, or be retarded 
by accident t)r wound, the party missing 
him wojld frequently, on their march, 
braok down a bush ora shrub, and leavethe 
top pointing in the direction they had gone, 
that the straggler, when he slioulJ behold 
it, might shape his course accordingly. 

We come to the campaign when Gen- 
eral Abercrombie took the comniand at 
Fort Edward. Thai general ordered Ma- 
jor Putnam, with sixty men,io proceed by 
land to South l>ay, on Lake George, for 
the purpose of making discoveries, and iu- 
tercep:ing the enemy's parties. The lat- 
ter, in compliance with these orders, post- 
ed himself at Wood Creek, near its en- 
trance into South B ly. On this bank, 
which forms a juiting precipica ten or 
twelve (eeel above the water, he erecie 1 
a stone para[)et thirtyfeet in length, and 
masked it with young pine-trees, cut at a 
distance, and so artfully |)lanted as to imi- 
tate the natural growth. Hence he sent 
back fifteen of his men, who had fallen 
sick. Distress for want of provisions, u.'- 
casioned by thelengthof mfrch, and time 



OF MAJOINGENERAL PUTINa: 



IJJ 



"(pcnl on this temporary fortification, com- - mean time, Major Putnam kept up, through 
pelled him to deviate from a rule he liad '; the whole niglit, an incessant and deadij 
established, never to p»rmit a gun to be ! fire on the main body of the enemy, with- 
lired but at an enemy while on a scout. ' out receiving any thing but shot void oi 
lie was now obliged to shoot a buck, ' elfect^ accompanied wiih dolorous groans, 
wliich had jumped into the creek, in ordiu- ) miserable shrieks, and dismal savage yells. 
;,.to eke out their scanty subsistence until J> After daybreak, he was advised that one 
''*the fourth day after tiie completion of the ( part of the enismy had etlected a landing 



•works. About ten o'clock that evening, 
one of the men on duty at the margin of 
the bay, informed him that a fleet of bark 
canoes, filled with men, was steering tow- 
ards the moulh of the creek. He immedi- 
ately called in all iiissentinels,and ordered 
5 every man to his post. A profound still- 
ness reigned in the atmosphere, and the 
full moon shone with uncommon bright- 
ness. The creek, which the enemy en^ 
tered, is about six rods wide, and the bank 



C'liisiderabJy below, and were rapidly ad' 
vancing to cut off his retreat, Apprised 
of the great superiority still opposed U) 
him, as well as of the situationof his own 
soldiers, some of whom were entirely dee - 
filute of ammuaition, and the rest reduced 
to or.e or two rounds each, he commanded 
them to swing iheir packs. By hastening 
ilie retreat, in good order, they had just, 
time to retire far enough up the creek to 
prevent being enclosed. During this long 



opposite to the parapet above twenty feet ( continued action, in vj'hich the Americans 
high. It was intended to permit the canoes !> had slain at least five times their own 
in front to pass — -they had accordingly ;, number, only one Provincial and one In- 
just passed, when a soldier accidentally dian were wounded on their bide. These 
struck his firelock against a stone. The ) unfortunate men had been sent off for 
commanding officer in the van canoe i camp, in the night, with two men to assist 
heard the noise, and repeated several times { and directions to proceed by Wood-Creek 
the savage watch-word,— Owish ! In- ■ as the safest, though not the shortest route. 



stantly the canoes huddled together, with 
their centre precisely in front of the works, 
covering the creek for a considerable dis- 
tance above and below. The ofBcers ap- 
peared to be in deep consultation, and the 
fleet on the point of returning, when Ma* 



But having taken a nearer way,.they were 
pursued and overtaken by the Indians, 
who, from the blood on the leaves and 
bushes, believed that they were on the 
trail of our whole party. The wounded, 
despairing of mercy, and unable to fly. 



jor Putnam, who had ordered his men in > insisted that the well soldiers should make 



the most peremptory manner not to fire 
\Mitil he should set the example, gave tlie 
signal, by discharging his piece. They 
fired. Nothing could exceed the inextri- 
cable confusion and apparent consterna- 
tion occas.oned by this well-concerted at- 
tack. But, at last, the enemy finding, 



their escape, which, on a moment's delib- 
oration, they effected. The Provincial, 
whose thigh was broken by a l>all, on the 
approach of the savages, fired his piece, 
at;d killed three of themjafter which he was 
quickly hacked in piece?. The Indian, how-« 
ever, was saved alive. This man Major 



iVom the unfrequency in the firing, thai S Putnam saw alterwards in C'anada, where 



the number of our men must be small, re- 
solved to land below and surround them. 
I'utnam, apprehensive of this, from the 
movement, sent Lieutenant Rcbert Dur-« 
kee, w ith twelve men, about thirty rods 
down tne creek, who arrived m tmne to 
repulse the party which attempted to land. 
Another small detachment, under Lieu- 
tenant Parsons, was ordered up the creek 
to prevent any similar attempt. In the 



he likewise learned that his enemy, in the 
rencounter at Wood-Creek, consisted of 
five hundred French and Indians, under 
the command of the celebrated partisan Mo - 
lang, and that no party, since the war, had 
suffered so severely, as more than one half 
ot those who went out never returned. 

Our brave little company, reduced to 
forty in number, had proceeded along 
the bank of the creek about an hour's 



14 



LIFE, ANECDOTES, AND HEUOIC EXPLOITS 



march, when Major Putnam, being in mittens were barntentirely from his IianQ>;; 
front, was liredon by a party just at hand, he was supplied with another pair dippeo 
He, rightly appreciating the advantage . in water. Colonel Haviland, tearing thai 



often obtained by assuming a bold coun 
tenance on a critical occasion, in a stento 



he would perish in the Hames, calleu him 
to come down. But lie entreated that lit 



struclion must inevitably ensue if ihe;r 
exertions should be remitted. The gal- 
lant commandant, not less astonished luaii 



rophonic tone, ordered his men to rush on ' might be sutirtred to remain, since oe- 

tne enemy, and promised that they should " ' 

soon give a good account of them. It prov- 
ed to be a scout of Provincials, who conceiv- 
ed they were tiring upon the French ; but \ charmed at the boldness of his c Jiiduct, 
the commanding oOicer, knowing Pat- ^ forbade any more effects to be carried oui 
nam's voice, cried out, that they were all ,' of the I'ort, animated the n-:en to redoubled 
friends. Upon this the Mijorlold him ab- diligence, and exclaimed, *-if wemuit ne 
ruplly, that, " friends or enemies, they ' blown up, we will go altogether." A: 
all deserved to be hanged fjr not killing (J 
more when they had so fair a shot." In / 
fact, but one man was mortally wounded. ■ 
While these things were transacted, a ' 
faithful soldier, whose ammunition had 



last, when the barracks were seen to be 
tumbling, Putnam descended, placed him- 
self at the interval, and continued from 
an incessant rotation of replenisheo buck- 
ets to pour water on the magazine. Tne 



been nearly exhausted, made his way to ) outside planks were already consumed by 
rhe fort, and gave such information, that ^ the proximity of the fire, and as only one 
General Lvman was detached with five (■ thickness of timber intervened, the trejii- 



Imndred men to cover the retreat. Major 
Putnam met them at only twelve miles 
distance from the fort, to which they re- 
turned the next day. 

In the winter of 1757, when Colonel \ until the fire subsided, and the danger was 
Haviland was commandant at Fort Ed- ; wholly over. Ha had contended lor one 
ward, the barracks adjoining to the north- 
west bastion took fire. Thev extended 



dation now became general and extreme. 
Putnam, still undaunted, covered with a 
cloud of cinders, and scorched with the 
intensity of heat, maintained his position 



hour and a half wiih that terrible element. 
His legs,his thighs, his arms, and his face 



within twelve feet of the magazine, which ? were blistered ; and when he pjUed of 

fionlained three hundred barrels of pow- - 

der. On its first discovery, the fire raged v 

with great violence. The comi.iandant > 

endeavored, in vain, by discharging sev- ) 

eral pieces of heavy artillery against the i deared him, could not stiJie :he emotions 

supporters of this flight of'barracks, to : of gratitude, duo to the man who had been 



his second pair of mil tens, the skin i'roni 
his hands and fingers followed them. It 
was a month before he recovered. The 
commandant, to whom his merits had en- 



level them with the gromid. Putnam ar 
rived from the island where he was sta- 
tioned at the moment when the blaz3 ap- 
proached that end which was contiguous 
to the magazine. Instantly a vigorous 
attempt was made to extinguish the con- 
flagration. A way was 0[)ened by a 
postern gate to the river, and the soldiers 
were employed in bringing water ; which 
he, having mounted on a ladder to the 
eaves of the building, received and threw 



so instrumental in preserving the maga- 
zine, the f)rl, and the garrij^on. 

The repulse before Ticoiideroga took 
place in 175S General Abercromoie, the 
British commander in r.'hieC in America, 
conducted the expedition. His army, 
which amounted to nearly sixteen thou- 
sand regulars and provincials, was amply 
supplied with artillery and military stores. 
This well-appointed corps passed over 
Lake George, and landed, without opposi- 



on the flame. It continued, notwithstand- ) tion, at the point of destination. Tne 
ing their utmost efforts, to gain on them. '] troops advanced in columns. Lord Howe, 
He stood, enveloped in smoke, so near the ■ having Major Putnam with him, was in 
sheet of fire, that a pair of thick blanket \ front of the cent.-e. A body of about five 



OF MAJOR-GENERAL PUTNAM. 



15 



hundred men, the advance or pickets of 
the French army, which had fled at first, 
began to skirmish with our left. " Put- 
nam," said Lord Howe, " wha\ means 
that firing?" "I kno^ not, but wiih 
your lordship's leave, will see," replied 
the former. "I will accompany you," 
rejoined the gallant young nobleman. In 
vain did Mijor Putnam attempt to dissuade 
him by saying — " My lord, if I am killed, 
the loss of my life will be of little conse- 
quence, but the preservation of yours is 
of infinite miportance to this army." The 
only answer was, "Putnam, your life is 
as dear to you as mine is to me ; I am de- 
termined to go." One hundred of Ihe van, 
under Mojor Putnam, filed off' witii Lord 
flowft. They soon met the left flank of 
the enemy's advance, by whose first fire his 
lordship fell. — It was a loss indeed ; and 
particularly felt in the opeiations which 
occurred three days afterwards. His 
manners and his virtues had made himtiie 
idol of the army. From his first arrival 
in America, he had accommodated him- 
self* and his regiment to the peculiar na- 
ture of the service. Exemplary to the 
officer, a Iriend io the soldier, the model 
of discipline, he had not failed to encoun- 
ter every hardship and hazard. Nothing 
oould be more calculated to inspire men 
with the rash animation of rage, or to 
temper it with the cool perseverance of 
revenge, than the sight of such a hero, so 
beloved, fallen m his country's cause. It 
had the effect. Putnam's party havingcut 
their way obliquely through the enemy's 
ranks and having been joined by Cap- 
tain D'Ell, with twenty m>m, together 
with some other small parties, charged 
them so furiously in rear, that nearly 
three hundred were killed on the spot, 
and one hundred and forty-uight made 
prisoners. 

In the mean time, from the unskil- 
fulness of ihe guides, some of our col- 
umns were bewildered. The left wing, 

* He cut his hair short, and induced tho regi- 
ment to follow the example. He fashioned their 
clothing for the activity of service, and divested 
himself and them of every article of superfluous 
baggage. 



^ seeing Putnam's party in their front ad- 
( vancing over the dead bodies towards 
, them, commenced a brisk and h^avy fire, 
' which killed a sergeant and several pri- 
{ vates. Nor could they, by sounds or 
^ signs, be convinced of their mistake, until 
Major Putnam, preferring the probable 
, loss of his own life to the loss of the lives 
of his brave associates, ran through the 
midst of the flying balls, and prevented 
': the impending catastrophe. 
'; The tender feelings which Major Put- 
' nam possessed, taught him to respect an 
unfortunate foe, and to strive, by every 
lenient art in his power, to alleviate the 
miseries of war. For this purpose, he re- 
mained on the field until it began to grow 
dark, employed in collecting such of Ihe 
enemy as were left wounded, to one place; 
he gave them all the liquor anJ little re- 
freshments which he could procure ; he 
turnished to each of them a blanket '^ he 
put three blankets under a French ser- 
geant who was badly wounded through 
the body, and placed him in an easy pos- 
ture by the side of a tree: the poor fellow 
could only squeeze his hand with an ex- 
pressive grasp. "Ah," said Major Put- 
nam, "depend on it, my brave soldier, yo'.i 
shall be brought to the camp as soon as 
possible, and the same care shall be takea 
of you as if you were my brother." The 
ne.xt morning Major Rogers was sent to 
reconnoitre the field, and to bring off' the 
wounded prisoners; but finding the wound- 
ed unable to help themselves, in order to 
save trouble, he despatched every one of 
them to the world of spirits. Putnam's 
was not the only heart that bled. The 
Provincial and British officers, who became 
acquainted with the lact, were struck with 
inexpressible horror. 

Ticonderoga is surrounded on three sides 
by water; on the fourth, fbrsome distance, 
extends a dangerous morass; the remain- 
der was then Ibrtified wiih a line eigh: 
feel high, and planted with artillery. For 
one hundred yards in fiont the plain was 
covered with great trees, cut for the pur- 
pose of defence, whose interwoven and 
sharpened branches projected outwards. 
Notwithstanding these impediments, the 



16 LIFE, ANECDOTES, AND HEROIC EXPLOITS 

cn<'-!aeer wh ) had been employed to re- ;, shore of the Hudson, near the Rapids, 
coimoitre, reported as his opinion, that the j contiguous to which Fort Miller stood, 
worlds might be carried with muslietry. \ Ids men on the opposite bank had given 
The ditolty and delay ol" dragging ihe him to understand, that a large body ot' 
battering cannon over grounds almost im- savages were in his rear, and would be 
practicable, induced the adoption of this I on him in a moment. To stay and be 
t'atal ailvice', to which, however, a rumor ? sacrificed— to attempt crossing and be 
that the garrison, already consisting of four shot — or to go down the falls, with an 
or five thousand men, was on the point of S almost absolute certainty of being drowiH 
bein? au'^mented with three thousand } ed, were the sole alternatives that pre- 
more, probably contributed. The attack ) sented themselves to his choice. So in- 
was as spirited in execution as ill-judged ) slantaneously was the latter adopted, 
in design. The assailants, after having I that one man who had rambled a liitle 
been for more than four hours exposed to from the party, was, of necessity, left, 
;i most fatal fire, without making any im- i and fell a miserable victim to savag'? 
pression by their reiterated and obstinate ( barbarity. The Indians arrived on the 
proofs of valor, were ordered to retreat. ) shore soon enough^to fire many balls 
Major Putnam, who had acted as an aid in ) on the batteau before it could be got 
bringing the Provincial regiments succes- \ under way. No sooner had our batteau- 
sively to action, assisted in preserving or- j men escaped, by favor of the rapidity 
der. " It was said that a great number of ) of the current, beyond the reach of 
the enemv were shot in the head, every ^ musket-shot, than death seemed only to 
o'her part having been concealed behind ! have been avoided in one form to be 



iheir works. The loss on our side Was ) enountired in another not less terrible. 

upwardsoflwo thousand killed and wound- \ Prominent rocks, latent shelves, absorb-. 

ed. Twenty-five hundred stands of arms / ing eddies, and abrupt descents, for a 

were taken by the French. Our army, ) quarter of a mile, afforded scarcely the 

after sustaining this havoc, retreated with I smallest chance of escaping without a 

such extraordinary precipitation, that they \ miracle. Putnam, trusting himself to a 

retrained their camp at the southward of; good Providence, whose kindness he had 

Lake George the evening of the action, s often experienced, rather than to men, 

The successes in other parts of Amer* ) whose tenderest mercies are cruelty, 

ica made amends for this defeat. Lou- ) was now seen to place himself sedately 

isbourg, after a vigorous siege, was reduced \ at the helm, and afford an astonishing 

bv the Generals Amhefst and Wolfe : ( spectacle of serenity. His companions, 

Fronienac, a post of importince on the ) with a mixture of terror, admiration and 

communication betweerx Lake Ontario \ wonder, saw him incessantly changing 

and the St. Lawrence, surrendered to ( the course, to avoid the jaws of ruin, 

Colonel Bradstreet ; and Fort du Quesne, / that seemed expanded ;o swallow the 

situated at the confluence of the Mo- ) whirling boat. Twice he turned it fair' 

r.ontrahela with the Ohio, the posses* \ ly round to shun the rifts of rocks. 

sion°of which had kindled the flame of) Amidst, these eddies, in which was the 

war that now spread through the four ) greatest danger of its foundering, at one 

quarters of the globe, was captured by \ moment the sides were exposed to the 

General Forbes. \ fury of the waves; then the stern, and 

A few adventures, in which the public '} next the bow. glanced obliquely onward, 

ititerests were little concerned, but which, { with inconceivable velocity. With not 

from their peculiarity, appear worthy of ^ loss amazement the savages beheld him 

being pieservcd, happened before the ) sometimes mounting the billows, then 

conclusion of the year. As one day \ plunging abjuptly down, at other times 

Major Putnam chanced to lie with a I skillfully veering from the rocks, and 

batteau and fivo men, on the eastern ^ shooting through the only narrow pas- 



OP MAJOR-GENERAL PUTNAM. 



17 



:3age; until, at last, they viewed the hoat^ 
safely gliding on the smooth surface of the i 
strtam below. At this sight, it is assert-^) 
ed, that these rude sons of nature were \ 
affected with the same kind of supersti- ) 
tious veneration which the Europeans, in > 
the dark ages, entertained for some of) 
their most valorous champions. They ■ 
deemed the man invulnerable, whom their ^ 
balls, on his pushing from shore, could "> 
not touch ; and whom they had seen ) 
stering in safety down the rapids that had J 
never before been passed. They conceived ) 
it would be an affront against the Great ) 
Spirit to attempt to kill this favored inor- ' 
tal wilh povi'der and ball, if they shoiild \ 
ever see and know him again. ^ 

In the month of August five hund ed : 
men were employed, under the orders of, 
Majors Rogers and PutnarH, to watch the \ 
motions of the enemy ne:ir Ticonderog. \ 
At South-Bay they .separated the party ) 
into two equal divisions, and Rogers took \ 
a position on Wood-creek, twelve miles (J 
•distant from Putnam. ) 

Being some time afterwards discovered, ^ 
ihey formed a re-union, and concerted \ 
measures for returning to Fort Edward. \ 
Their march through the woods was in ) 
"three divisions by the files : the right com- ) 
•nnanded by Rogers, the left by Putnam, ) 
and the centre by Captain D'Ell. The \ 
first night they encamped on the banks of '; 
Clear 4-iver, about a mile from old Fort ^ 
Ann, which had been formerly built by ) 
General Nicholson. Next morning Ma- \ 
jor Rogers, and a British ofBcer, named ^ 
Ifwin, incautiously suffered tluinselves, '- 
from a spirit of false emulation, to bi en- ) 
gaged in firing at a mark. Nothing could 
have been n7ore repugnant to the mditary ; 
•principles of Putnam tiian such conduct, ) 
or reprobated by him in more pointed \ 
terms. As soon as the heavy dew which \ 
bad fallen the preceding night would per- \ 
mit, the detachment moved in one body, / 
Putnam being in front. D'Ell in the centre, \ 
and Rogers in the rear. The imperv^i- ; 
ous growth of shrubs and under-brush { 
that had sprung up, where th? land had \ 
been partially cleared some years before, > 
occasioned this change in the order of ( 



march. At the moment of moving, the 
famous French partisan Molang, who had 
been sent with five hundred men to inter- 
cept our party, was not more than one 
mile and a half distant from them. Hav- 
ing heard the firing, he hastened to lay an 
ambuscade precisely in that part of the 
wood most favorable to his project. Ma- 
jor Putnam was just emerging from the 
thicket, into thr common forest, when the 
enemy rose, and with discordant yells and 
whoops, commenced an attack on the right 
of his division. Surprised, but undis- 
mayed, Putnam halted, returned the fire, 
and passed the word for the other divisions 
to advance for his support. D'Ell came. 
The action, though widely scattered, and- 
principally fought between man and man, 
soon grew general and intensely warm. It 
would be as difficult as useless to describe 
this irregular and ferocious mode of fight- 
ing. Rogers came not up ; but as he 
declared afterwards, formed a circular file 
between our party and Wood-Creek, to 
prevent their being taken in rear or enfi- 
laded. Successful as he commonly was, 
his conduct did not always pass without 
unfavorable imputation. Notwithstand- 
ing, it was a current saying in the camp, 
that " Rogers always sent, but Putnam 
led, his men to action," yet, in justice, it 
ought to br remarked here, that the latter 
has never been known, in relating the sto- 
ry of this day's disaster, to affix any stig- 
ma on the conduct of the former. 

Major Putnam, perceiving it would be 
impracticable to cross the creek, deter- 
mined to maintain his ground. Inspired 
by his example, the officers and men be- 
haved with great bravery : sometunes they 
fjught aggregately in open view, and 
sometimes individually under cover; ta- 
king aim from behind the bodies of trees, 
and acting in a manner independent of each, 
other. For himself, having discharged 
his fuzee several times, at length it missed 
fire, while the muzzle was pressed against 
the breast of a large and well proportioned 
savage. The warrior, availing him- 
self of the indefensible attitude of his 
adversary, with a tremendous war-whoop, 
sprang forward, with his lifted hatchet. 



18 LIFE, ANECDOTES, AND HEROIC EXPLOITS 

and compelled him to surrender; and ^violently, and repeatedly, pushed the mU2' 
having disarmed and bound him fast to sSz\e of his gun against Putnam's ribs, and 
tree, returned to the battle. J finally gave him a cruel blow on the jaw 

The intrepid Captains D'Ell and Har-< with the but end of his piece. After this 
man, who now commanded, were forced (^dastardly deed, he left him. 
to give ground for a little distance; the ^ At length the active intrepidity of D'Ell 
savages conceiving this to be the certain )and Harman, seconded by the persevering 
harbinger of victory, rushed impetuously ^valor of their followers, prevailed. They 
on, with dreadful and redoubled cries. ^ drove from the field the enemy, who left 
But our two partisan?, collecting a hand- ; about ninety dead behind them. As they 
ful of brave men, gave the pursuers so ^ were retiring, Putnam was untied by the 
warm areception as to oblige them in turn, (Indian who had made him prisoner, and 
to retreat a little beyond the spot at which Wvhom he afterwards called master. Hav- 
the action had commenced. Here they ling been conducted for some distance 
made a stand. This change of ground from the place of action, he was stripped 
occasioned the tree to which Putnam was ^of his coat, vest, stockings and shoes ; 
tied to be directly between the fire of the^loaded with as many of the packs of the 
two parties. Human imagination can ^wounded as could bepiled on him ; strong- 
hardly figure to itself a more deplorable ^ly pinioned, and his wrists tied as closely 
situation. The balls flew incessaniy from ^together as they could be pulled with a 
either side, many struck the tree, while ';cord. After he had marched, through no 
some passed through the sleeves and skirts' pleasant paths, in this painful manner, for 
of his coat. In this state of jeopardy, ) many a tedious mile, the party who were 
unable to move his body, to stir his limbs, ^excessively fatigued, halted to breathe, 
or even to incline his head, he remained j'His hands were now immoderately swelled 
more than an hour. So equally balanced, ^ from the tightness of the ligature; and 
and so obstinate was the fight! At one Hhe pain had become intolerable. His feet 
moment while the battle swerved in favor Mvere so much scratched, thfit the blood 
of the enemy, a young savage chose an odd '■dropped fast from them. Exhausted with 
way of discovering hishumor. He found ^bearing a burden above his strength, and 
Putnam bound. He might have despatch- \ frantic with torments exquisite beyond en- 
ed him at a single blow. But he loved I' durance, he entreated the Irish interpreter 
better to excite the terrors of the prison- to implore, as the last and only grace he 
er, by hurling a tomahawk at his head, or •'desired of the savages, that they would 
rather it would seem his object too seel'knock him on the head, and take his scalp 
how near he could throw it wthout touch- ^ at once, or loosen his hands. A French 
ing him ; the weapon struck in the tree a)ofiicer, instantly interposing, ordered his 
number of times at a hair's breadth dis-^hands to to be unbound, and some of the 
tance from the mark. When the Indian ^packs to be taken off. By this time the 
had finished his amusement, a French bas-/ Indian, who had captured him, and had 
<)fficer, (a much more inveterate savage by ^ been absent with the wounded, coming 
nature, though descended from so humane (up gave him a pair of moccasins, and ex- 
and polished a nation.) perceiving Put- ) pressed great indignation at the unworthy 
nam, came up to him, and, leveling a fu- treatment his prisoner had suffered, 
zee within a foot of his breast, attempted '> That savage chief again returned to 
to discharge it; it missed fire. Ineffectu- <the care of the wounded, and the Indians 
ally did the intended victim solicit the ( about two hundred in number, went be- 
treatment due to his situation, by repeat-^ fore the rest of the party to the place 
ing that he was a prisoner of war. The Ji where the whole were that night to en- 
degenerate Frenchman did not understand '^ camp. They look with them i\Iajor Put- 
the language of honor or of nature : deaf ^ nam, on whom, besides innumerable other 
to their voice, and dead to sensibility, he p outrages, they had the barbarity to inflict 



OF MAJOR-GENERAL PUTNAM. 



39 



& deep wound with the tomahawk in the > That commandant spurned and severely 
left cheek. His sufferings were in this' reprimanded the barbarians, whose noc- 
i>laceto be consummated. A scene of, ^"^^1 powvyas and hellish orgies he sud- 
r ■ £1 •. 1 » «u u J ^ denly ended. Putnam did not want for 

horror, inhnitelv greater than had ever . ,.-' .^ j rp.. r^ u 

, : . /leehntT or gratitule. 1 he trench com- 

met his eyes before, was now preparmg. J ^^„ ^^^ j. J^j^^ ^^ ^^ust him alone with 
It was determmed to roast hmi alive, ^^hgrn, remained until he could deliver him 
For this purpose they led him into a dark ;„ safety into the hands of his master, 
forest, stripped him naked, bound him to*! The savage approached his prisoner 
a tree, and piled dry brush, with other fu-^ kindly, and seemed to treat him with par- 
el at a small distance, in a circle round? ticular affection. He offered him some 
him. Thev accompanied their labors, as j hard biscuit; but finding that he could 
.,. r ,1- c' 1 1 .-.u -^ ..„, „.,^'' lot chew them, on account of the blow 

i for his funeral dirge, With screams and , • j r ^u v> i 

.,,,'', he had received from the Frenchman, 

sounds inimitable but by savage voices. ^,^jg ^^^^ j^^,^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^j^^^ ^^^^ ^^ 

Then they set the piles ou fire. .A sudden ^^e biscuit in water, and made him suck 
shower damped the rising flam3. Still ; the pulp-like part. Determined, however, 
they strove to kindle it, until at last, the^not to lose his captive, he took the mocca- 
blaze ran fiercely round the circle Major^sins from his feet, and tied them to one of 
I'utnam sooi begin lo feel the scorching? his wrists: then directing him to lie 
heat. His hands were so tied that he) down on his back upon the bare ground, 
could move his body. He often shifted^ he stretched one arm to its full length, 
s des as the fire approached. This sight) and bound it fast to a young tree; the 
at the very idea of which all but savages) other arm was extended and bound in the 
tnust shudder, afforded the highest diver-<sarae manner; his legs were stretched 
sion to his inhuman tormentors, who dem'? apart and fastened to two saplings. Then 
onstrated the delirium of their joy by cor-) a number of tall, but slender poles were 
Tespondentyells,dances,and gesticulations.) cut dovvn, which, with some long bushes. 
He saw clearly that his final hour was in-? were laid across his body from head to 
evitably come. He summoned all his? foot: on each side lay as many Indians 
resolution, and composed his mind, as far) as could conveniently find lodging, in or- 
asthe circumstances would admit, to bidder to prevent the possibility of his escape, 
■farewell to all ho held most dear. To? In this disagreeable and painful posture he 
•quit the world would scarcely have cost a; remained until morning. During this 
■single pang ; t)ut tor the idea of home.) night, the longest and most dreary con- 
but for the remembrance of domestic en-Ij ceivable, our hero used to relate that he 
■dearments, of the affectionate partner of/ felt a ray of cheerfulness come casually 
his soul, and of their beloved offspring, ) across his mind, and could not even re- 
His thought was ultimately fixed on ac frain from smiling when he reflected on 
happier state of existence, beyond the) this ludicrous group for a painter, of which 
^tortures he was beginning to endure. The) he himself was the principal figure, 
bitterness of death, even of that death^ The next day he was allowed his blank- 
which is accompanied with the keenest) et and moccasins, and permitted to march 
agonies, was, in a manner, past — nature,) without carrying any pack, or receiving 
with a feeble struggle, was quitting itslasts any insult. To allay his extreme hunger, 
hold on sub unary things — when a French^ a little bear's meat was given, which he 
officer rushed through the crowd, opened ^ sucked through his teeth. At night the 
a way by scattering the burning brands,) party arrived at Ticonderoga, and the 
and unbound the victim. It was Molar^g) prisoner was placed under the care of a 
himself — to whom a savage, unwillingr to' French guard. The savages, who had 
see another human sacrifice immolated,) been prevented from glutting their diabol- 
had run and communicated the tidings.'' ical thirst for blood, took other opportu- 



'IC, 



LIFE, ANECDOTES, AND HEROIC EXPLOITS 



uities of manifesting their malevolence 
for the disappointment, by horidgrimaces 
and angry gestures; but they were suffer- 
ed no more to offer violence or personal 
indignity to him. 

After being examined by tiie Marquis 
de Montcalm, Major Putnam was con- 
ducted to Montreal by a French officer, 
who treated him with the greatest indul- 
gence and humanity. 

At this place were several prisoners. 
Colonel Peter Schuyler, remarkable for 
his philanthropy, generosity and friend- 
ship, was of the number. No sooner had 
he heard of Major Putnam's arrival, than 
he went to the interpreter's quarters, and 
inquired whether he had a Provincial ma- 
jor in his custody? He found Major Put- 
nam in a comfortless condition, without 
coat, waistcoat, or hose; the remnant of 
his clothing miserably dirty and ragged ; 
his beard long and squalid ; his legs torn 
by thorns and briers ; his face gashed 
with wounds and swollen with bruises. 
Colonel Schuyler, irritated beyond all suf- 
ferance at such a sight, could scarcely 
restrain his speech within limits, consist- 
ent with the prudence of a prisoner and 
the meekness of a Christian. Major 
Putnam was immediately treated accor- 
ding to his rank, clothed in a decent man- 
ner, and supplied with money by that lib- 
eral and sympathetic patron of the dis- 
tressed. 

The capture of Frontenac by General 
.Bradstreet afforded occasion for an ex- 
change of prisoners. Colonel Schuyler 
was comprehended in the cartel. A gene- 
rous spirit can never be salisiied with im- 
posing tasks for its generosity to accom- 
plish. Apprehen.sive if it should be known 
that Putnam was a distinguished partisan, 
his liberation might be retarded, and know- 
ing that there were officers who, H-om the 
length ol their captivity, had a claim of 
priority to exchange, he hari, by his happy- 
address, induced the governor to offer, ihat 
whatever officer he might think proper to 
nominate should be included in ihe present 
cartel, Witii great politeness in manner, 
but seeming indifference as to object, he 
oxpreasel his warmest acknowledgments 



to the governor, and saia, "There is ar; 
old man here, who is a Provincial major, 
and wishes to be ai lio ne with his wife and 
children ; he can do no g )od here or any 
wiiere else : i believe your excellency had 
better keep some of the young men, who 
have no wife or children to care for, and 
let the old fellow go home whh me." This 
ijustinable finesse had the desired effect. 

At the house of Colonel Schuyler, Ma- 
[jor Puliiatn becuie acquainted with Mrs, 
Howe, a widow lady, who^ hid haen cap^ 
tured by the Indians. She was still beau- 
tiful, though tlie mother of seven children, 
all of whmn were also captives, liach of 
her two husbands had suffered death by the 
<J savages. A French officer purchnsed her 
j for four hundred hvres. We cannot here 
detail her interesting history, nor th'>. siif-- 
ferings from which she was ransomed by 
that soldier of humanity, Colonel S'^huy- 
ler. Suffice it to say, '.hat he not only pur- 
chased her freedom, but gathered to ner 
bosom the scattereJ children of her love, 
^and put her under the protection of Major 
^ Putnam. 

? In the long march from captivity, through 
I an inhospitable wilderness, encumbered 
\ with five small children, she suffered in- 
( credible hardships. Though endowed with 
; masculine lbrtitude,she wus truly i'eminine 
sin strength, and must have fainted by the' 
(Way, had it not been for the assistance of 
) iMnjor Pui;nam, There were a thousand 
)gOf)d offices which the h dplessneas of her 
(condition demanded, and v/hich the gemie- 
/nessof his nature delighted to pcrtbrm. He 
; assisted in leading her little ones, and in 
(carrying them over the swampy grounds 
/and runs of water, with which their course 
' was frequently intersected. He mingled 
^his own mess with that of the widow and 
^the fatherless, ana assisted them in supply-' 
ung and preparing their provisions. Upon 
arriving within the settlements, they expe^ 
rienced a reciprocal regret at separation, 
and ivcre only consoled by the e^tpectation 
of soon mingling in l:he embraces of vtheir 
former acquaintances and dearest connec- 
tions. 

We now arrive at the period when the 
'prowess of Britain, victorious alike by sea> 



OF MAJOR-GENERAL PUTNAM. 



21 



niid ')y land, in ilie new and in the old •> so daring an example, they movea swiftly, 
world, had elsvaled th it name to the zenith ij in profound stillness, as to certain victory 
of national glory. The conquest of Que- ^'or death. The people on board the ships, 
bee opened the wny for the total reduction J beholding the good countenance with which 
of Canada. On this side of the lakes, Am- ;, tiiey approached, ran one of the vessels on 
herst having captured the posts of Ticon- ('shore, -and struck the colors of the other, 
deroga and Crown-Point, applied himself / Had it not been for the dastardly conduct 
to strengthen the latter. Putnam, who had -of the ship's company in the latter, who 
been raised to the rans of lieutenant-colo- S compelled the captain to haul down his en- 
nel, and present at these operations, was |sign, he would have given the assailants a 
employed the remainder of tnis and some ,= bloody rece[)tion; for the vessels were well 
part of the silpceeding season, in superin- provided with spars, nettings, and every 
lending the parties which were detached to ; customary instrument of annoyance as 
procure timber and oiher materials for the /well as defence, 
fortification. 

In 1760, General Amherst, a sagacious, ' It now reinained to attack the fortress, 
humane, and experienced commander, Mvhich stood on an island, and seemed to 
planned the termination of the w.ir in Ca- shave been rendered inaccessible by a high 
nada, by a bloodless conquest. For this f abattis of black-ash, that every where pro- 
[)urpose, three armies were destined to co- ) jecied over the water. Lieutenant-Colonel 
operate, by different routes, against Mon- ) Putnam proposed a mode of attack, andof- 
treal, the only remaining place of strength ! fered his services to carry it into effect, 
the enemy held in that country. The /The General approved the proposal. Oar 
corps formerly commanded by General .''partisan, accordingly, caused a sufficient 
VVolfe, now by General Murray, was or- /number of boats to be fitted for the enter- 
dered to ascend the river St. Lawrence; <1 prise. The sides of each boat were sur- 
another, under Colonel Haviland, to pene- 'rounded with fascines, musket- proof, which 
trate the Isle Aux Noi.v ; and the third, ! covered the men completely. A wide 
consisting of about ten thousand men, com- ; plank, twenty feet in length, was then fitted 
manded by General Amherst, after passing ho every boat in such manner, by having 
up the Mohawk river, and taking its coarse ) an angular piece sawed from one extremi- 
by the Lake Ontario, was to t'orm a jun( - ; ty, that, when fastened by ropes on both 
tion by falling down the St. Lawrence. In ■, sides of the bow, it might be raised or lovv- 
this progress, more than one occasion pre-'^ered at pleasure. The design was, that 
sented itself to manifest the intrepidity and hhe plank should be held erect while the 
soldiership of Lieutenant-Colonel Putnam, /'oarsmen forced the bow with the utmost 
Tvvj armed vessels obstructed the passage, s exertion against the abattis; and that af- 
and prevented the attack on Oswegatchie. < terwards being dropped on the pointed 
Putnam, with one thousand men, in fifty ^ brush, it should serve as a bridge to assist 
batteaux, undertook to board them This^ihe men in passing over them. Lieutenant- 
dauntless officer, ever sparint^ of the olood ! Colonel Putnam having his dispositions to 
of others, as prodigal of his own, to ac- attempt the escalade in many places at the 
complish it with the less loss, put himself ;same moment, advanc3d with his boats in 
with a chosen crew, a beetle and wedges, ) admirable order. The garrison, perceiv- 
in the van, with a design to wedge therud- dng these extraordinary and unexpected 
ders, so that the ve.ssels should not be able ?mr chines, waited not the assault, but ca- 
lo turn their broadsides, or perform any 'pitulated. Lieutenat-Colonel Putnam was 
other inanceuvre. All the men in his little ] particularly honored by General Amherst, 
fleet were ordered to strip to their waist- h or hi-* ingenuity in this invention, and 
coats, and advance at the same time He promptitude in its execution. The three 
promised, if he lived, to join and show /armies arrived in Montreal wfthin two 
:hem th3 way up the sides. Animaied by ''days of each other; and the conquest of 




22 LIFE, ANECDOTES, AND HEROIC EXPLOITS 

Canada became complete without the loss,' the whale fishery), which, being fastened 
of a single drop of blood. i to the rafts, after the first had with incon- 

At no great distance from MontreaHceivable hazard reached the slioe, were of 
stands the savage village called Cochna- ( infinite service in preve: ting the others 
waga. Here our partisan found the Indi- jfrom driving out to sea, as also in dragging 
an chief who had formerly made him pri- (them ath\\art the billows lo the beach; by 
soner. That Indian was highly delighted^ which means every man was finally saved, 
to see his old acquaintance, whom he en- ^ With the same presence of mind to take 
tertained in his own well-built stone house, (advantage of circumstance!,, and the same 
with great friendship and hospitality; while j precaution to prevent confusion on similar 
his guest did not discover less satisfaction) occasions, how many valuable lives, pre- 
iu an opportunity of shaking the brave (maturely lost, m.ght have been preserved 
savage bv the hand, and proffering him | as blessings to their families, tHeir friends, 
protection in this reverse of his military ;and their country! As soon as all were 
fortunes. Uanded, Lieu. «n;int-Colonel Putnam lortifi- 

When the belligeram p )wers were con- ed his camp, tliat he might not be exposed 
siderably exhausted, a rupture took placebo insult trom the inhabitants of the neigh- 
between Great Britain and Spain, in Jau->boring districts, or from those ot Cartha- 
uary, 1762, and an expedition was formed gena, who were but twenty-tour miles dis- 
that campaign, under Lord Albemarle, tant. tiere the pirtj- remained unmoles'ed 
against the Havana. A body of provin-^everal days, until the storm had so much 

e 

1 

erhTrio'rdshir 'Genemr'LymTn,Vhoi weeks in that unhealthy climate, nlreadv 
raised the regiment of one thousand men began to gro v extremely sickly.* The op- 
in Connecticut, being the senior officer, po'-tune arrival of ih^ provmcial reinforce- 
commanded the whole : of course, the im-msnt, mpertect health, contributed not a 
mediate command of the regiment devolved little to forward tne works, and hasten the 
upon Lieutenant-Colonel Putnam. The^eduction o. that important place. Bat 
fleet that carried these troops sailed from ^ the provincials sufTered so miserably by 
New York, and arrived safelvon the coast sickness afterwards, that very few ever re- 
ef Cuba. There a terrible' storm arose, turned to tneir native land, 
and the transport in which Lieutenant-Co- Though a general peace timong the Eu- 
lonel Putnam had embarked with five bun- ''"peans was ratified in 1763, yet the sa- 
dred men, was wrecked on a rift of craggy vages on our western frontie.s still con- 
rocks. Tho weather was so tempestuous, tniued their hostniiies. After they h-id 
and the surf, which ran mountain-high, taken severnl posts, Gen. Bradstreet wa.s 
dashed with such violence against the ship, sent, in 1764, with an army against them, 
that the most experienced seamen expected Col. I'utnam, then, for the first time, in 

it would soon part asunder. The rest of) 

the fleet, so far from being able to affords * Colonel Haviland, an accomplished officer, 
assistance, with difficulty rode out the gale, (several times mentioned in these memoirs, who 
In this deplorable situation, as the only ^'•«"'^''t '» America a regiment of o„e thous^wul 
,. \ I • I 1 ij 1 1 /Irish veterans, had but seventv men remaining 

expedient by which they could be saved, j^,;^^ ^,^^„ j^^ ,^.fi the Havank. Colonel Havi- 

strict order was maintained, and all those , land, durin^r this siego. having once with hisregi- 
people who best und'^rstOOd the use of tools, /ment encountered and routed five thousand Span- 
instantly employed in constructing rafts i^-j.^^' ""^t Colonel I'utnam on his return and said. 
■' ', ■', 11. 1 ("Putnam, give me a pinch of snuff." " J never 

from spars, plank, and whatever "ther ma-( ^^^ ^^^^^ „ returned Putnam. "1 have always 
lerials could be procured. There happen-fjust'such luck," cried Haviland; "the rascally 
ed to Jae on board a large quantity ol | Spaniards have shot away my pocket, snuft-box 
strong cords, (the same that are used in(^"'^a"" 



OF MAJOR-GENERAL PUTNAM. 



23 



■commnnd of a regiment, was on the expe- many fallacious proposals for a peace, and 
dition, as was the Indian Chief whom I HVequent tergiversations in the negotiation, 
have several times had occasion to men- Uhey concluded a treaty, which ended the 
tion as his capturer, at the head of one) war in America. 

hundred Cochnawaga warriors. Before I Col. Putnam, at the expiration of ten 
Gen. Bradstreet reacned Detroit, which the (years from his first receiving a commis- 
savages invested. Captain D'Ell, the faith- ;sion, after having seen as much service, 
ful friend and intrepid fellow soldier of <, endured as many hardships, encountered 
Col. Putnam, had bejn slain in a desperate ( as many dangers, and acquired as many 
sally. Having been detached with fivej;laurels as any officer of his rank, with 
hundred men in 1763, by Gen. Anuierst, [great satisfariiion laid aside his uniform, 
to raise the siege, he found means of (and returned to his plough. The various 
throwing the succor into ihe fort. But the ^and uncommon scenes of war in which he 
garrison, commanded by Major Gladwine, ^bad acted a respectable part, his inter- 
a brave and sensible officer, had been hO (course with the world, and iniimacy with 
much weakened by the lurking and insi- (some of the first officers of the army, 
dious inode of war practised by the savage^, (joined with occasional reading, brought 
that not a man could be spared to co-^pe- jinto view whatever talents he possessed 
rate in an attack on them. The com- (from nature, but had extended his know- 
mandant would even have dissuaded C^-pt. ? ledge, and polished his manners, to a con- 
D'Ell from the attempt, on account of the )sid3rable degree. 

great disparity in numbers ; but the latter, ., q,.^ ^i^q twenty-second day of March, 
relying on the discipline and courage 01^7(55^ tl,e ^^^^.^^^^ act received the royal as- 
his men replied, " God forbid that I should jggj^t_ jj vvas to take place in America on 
ever disobey the orders of my General," <ihe first day of November following. This 
and immediately dispo.sed tliem for action. ;: innovation spread a sudden and universal 
It was obstinate and bloody; but the vastly ^^^larm. The political pulse in the prov- 
superior number of the savages enabled ' (nces, from Maine to Georgia, throbbed in 
them to enclose Capt.D'Eli's party on ev-^gyj-j^pathv. The assemblies, in most of 
ery side, aad compelled him, finally, to (ff^ggg coloni. s, that thev might oppose it 
fight his way, in retreat, from one stone ^ legally and in conceit, appointed delegates 
house to another. Having halted to ; ^^ confer together on the subject. This 
breathe a moment, he saw one of his brav-Nf^,.g, Congress met, early in October, at 
est sergeants lying at a small distance, Ujg^y York. They agreed on a dcclara- 
wouiuicd through the thigh, and wallowing ^o^ of rights and grievances of the colo- 
in his blood ; on whi^h he desired some of , ,^js^g . together'with separate addresses to 
ihe men to run and bring the sergeant to j^j^g j^j,^^^ Ic-ds, and commons of Great 
the house, but they declined it. Then de- ^ei-itain." In the meaniime, the people had 
daring that he never would leave so brave ^ Jetermined, in order to prevent the stamp- 
a soldier in the field to be tortured by the ; g,j papg,. from being distributed, that the 
savages, he ran and endeavored to help ^stamp-masters should not enter on ihe ex- 
him up— at the instant, a volley of shot gg^t^Qj-j ^f their office. The appointment 
dropped them both dead together. The (j,^ Qgnnecticut had been conferred on Mr. 
party continued retreating iVom house to ')Xngersol, a very dignified, sensible, and 
house until they regained the fort, where ^jgamed native of the colony, who, on be- 
lt was found the conflict had been so sharp, jj„g solicited to resign, did not, in the first 
and lasted so long, that only fifty men re- ^instance, ^ive a satisfactory answer. In 
mained alive of the five hundred who had ;!consequeifce of which, a great number of 
s^"'^'^- uhe substantial yeomanry, on horseback, 

On the arrival of General Bradstreet, furnished with provisions for themselves, 
the savages saw that all further elforts in (|and provender for their horses, assembled 
arms would be vain, and accordingly, after \in the eastern counties, and began their 



24 LIFE. ANECDOTES, AND HEROIC EXPLOTIS 

marcij hr New Haven, to receive the re- Colonel Putnam, who instigated the 
signation of Mr. Ingersol. A junction 'people to these measures, was prevented 
wit!) another body was to have been form- .; from attending by accident. But he was 
ed in Branford. Bit, having learned at ^deputed soon after, with two other genllc- 
Hartford that Mr. Ingersol would be in \ men, to wait on Gov. Fitch on the same 
town tl:e next day to claim protection from ) subject. The questions of the Governor 
the assembly, they took quarters there, ) and answers of Putaam will serve to indi- 
and kept out patroles during the whole ) cate the spirit of the limes. After some 
night, to prevent his arrival without their . conversation, the Governor asked, "What 
knowledge. The succeeding morning 1; he should do if the stamped [)aper should 
ihevr resumed their march, and met Mr. ^ be sent to him by the king's authority?" 
Ingersol in Welhersfield. They told him ( Putnam replied, " lock it up until we shall 
their business, and he, after some liille hes- c visit you again." "And what will you do 
itation mounted on a round table, read h"s / then? " We shall expect you to give us 
resignation.* That finished, the mulii- ) the key of the room in which it is deposited, 
tude desired hsm to cry out " liberty and ;, and if you think fit, in order to screen 
property " three times, which he did, and }^ yourself from blame, you may forewaru 
was followed by three loud huzzas. He ( us, on our peril, not to enter the room." 
then dined with some of the principal men ^ And what will you do af'erwarJs? " — 
at a tavern, by whom he was treated with s Send it safely back again." " But if I 
great politeness, and afterwards was es- ? should refuse admission?" "In such a 
corted by about five hundred horse to Hart- ^ case, your house will be leveled with the 
ford, where he again read his resignation, (dust in five minutes." It was supposed, 
amidst the unbounded acclamations of the ( that a report of this conversation was one 
people. I have chosen to style this col- ) reason why the stamped paper was never 
lection the yeomanry, the multitude, or the <. sent from New-York to Connecticut, 
peop/e, because I could not use the Eng-( Such unanimity in the provincial as»era- 
lish word mob, which generally signifies a ( blies, and descisiun in the yeomanry, car- 
disorderly concurrence of the rabble, with- ^ ried beyond the Atlantic a conviction of 
out conveying an erroneous idea. It is \ the inexpediency of attempting to enforce 
scarcely necessarj' to add, that the people, ( the new revenue system. The stamp act 
their objects being effected, without offer- ) being repealed, and the colonies in a man- 
ing disturbance, dispersed to their homes.! ) ner quieted, Colonel Putnam continued to 

) labor, afterwards at farmii/g, without in- 
■ ' ( terruption, except, for a little time, by the 

* The curious may be pleased to know that the j j^^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^^^ ■ -^^ ^f l^j^ ^j 1^^ thumb 

resignation was expressed m those expl.c.t terms: , ^_,^^ ^^^^ accident, and the compound frac- 

Wethersfield, Sept. 9th. 176d. ^ ^^^.^^^ ,^j^ ^j^j^^ ^,^5^^^ ^^.^^^^ another : that 

"I do hereby promise that I never will receive ^i^j^ ^^- rendered nearly an inch short- 
anv stamped papers which may arrive irom Lu- / ^ , <=>, ^ . ,•' . ,. . 

rope, in consequence of an act-lately passed in the ;: ^'^, ^h^" ^'^^ left, occasioned hun to limp in 
parliament of Great Britain; nor olTiciate as stamp- ) his walk. 

master or distributor of bonds, within the colony < 'Che Provincial officersand soldiers from 
of Connecticut, either directly or indirectly. And < Connecticut, who Survived the conquest of 
I do hereby notify to all the inhabitants of his . ■ . i nt it 

majostv's colony of Connecticut, notwithstanding / the Havana, appointed General Lyman 
the said office o'r trust has been committed to me, ) to receive the remainder of their prize 

not to apply to me, ever after, for any stamped pa- \ — 

per; hereby dwlaiing that I do rcsitrn. thi: said of- '' ;„ jjj^ cavalcade to Hartford, and was received 
fice, and execute these prrsen rs of my own free ) ^^h the most perfect good humor. Mr. Ingersol, 
WILL AND ACCORD, without any equivocation or ? ^^i^o, by chance, rode a white horse, being asked 
mental reservation. ) "What he thought, to find himself attended by 

"In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my ^ g^.^ ^ retinue?'"' replied that ho had now a clearer 
hand, "J- INGERSOL." <, jj^^ ^ij^n ever he had before coiiooived of that 

t To give a trait of the urbanity that pervaded, } passage in the Revelation, which describes cica<A 
■t may not be amiss to mention a jest that passed I on a pale horse, and hellfoUotcing him." 



OF MAJOR-G NERAL PUTNAM. 



25 



mdiiey, in England. A company, coin- • 
posed partly of military, and pari'y of ^ 
othrM- gentlemen, whose object was to ob- ) 
tain from the crown a grant of land on ? 
the Mississippi, also committed to him the ) 
negotiations of their aOnirs. When sev- ^ 
eral years had elapsed in applications, a ( 
grant of land was obtained, in 1770, ) 
General Lvmau, with Colonel Putnam, and ) 
two or three others, went to explore the ) 
situation. After a tedious voyage, and a I 
laborious passage up the Mississippi, they \ 
accomplished their business. ) 

General Lyman came back to Connec- ( 
ticut with the explorers, but soon ret n-ned \ 
to the Natch?z, there formed an establish- ^ 
ment, and laid his bones. Colonel Putnam ; 
placed some laborers with prosisions and ^ 
farming utensils on his location ; but tl;e l 
increasing troubles shortly after ruined the ; 
prosi)ect of deriving any advantage from 
that quarter. 

It will ever be acknowledged by those 
who were best acquainted with facts, and { 
it should be made known to posterity, that ^ 
the king of England had not. in his ex- ^ 
tensive dominions, subjects more loyal, 
more dutiful, or more zealous for his glo- ( 
ry, than the Americans; and that nothing I 
short of a melancholy persuasion, thatth^^ ) 
" measures which for many years had been 
systematically pursued by his ministere., i 
were calculated to subvert their constitu- 1 
tions," could have dissolved their power- '> 
ful attachment to that kingdom, which ! 
they fondly called their parent country. 
Here, without digression to develope the ) 
cause, or describe the progress, it may ; 
suffice to observe, the dispute novj verged \ 
precipitately to an awful crisis. Most ' 
considerate men foresaw it would terniin- ^ 
ate in blood. But rather than suffer the ' 
chains, which they believed to be in pre- ' 
paration, to be riveted, they nobly deter- 
mined to sacrifice their lives. In vain did J 
they deprecate the infatuation of those ; 
transatlantic counsels which drove them 
to deeds of desperation. Convinced of 
the rectitude of their cause, and doubtful ; 
of the issue, they felt the most painful so- \ 
iicitude for the fate of their c(Hintry, on ', 
contemplating the superior strength of 



the nation with which it was to contend. 
America, thinly inhabited, under thirteen 
distinct colonial governments, could have 
little hope of success, but from the pro- 
tection of Providence, and the unconquer- 
able spirit of freedom which pervaded the 
m:iss of the people. It it true, since the 
peace she had surprisingly increased in 
wealth and population ; but the resources 
of Britain almost exceeded credibility or 
conception. It is not wonderful, then, 
that some good citizens, of weaker nerves, 
recoiled at the prospect; while others, 
who had been officers in the late war, or 
who had witnessed, by traveling, the force 
of Britain, stood aloof. All eyes were 
turned to find men who, possessing milita- 
ry experience, would dare, in the approach- 
ing hour of severest trial, to lead their un- 
diciplined fellow-citizens to battle; for 
none were so stupid as not tocomprehend, 
that want of success would involve the 
leaders in the punishment of rebellion. 
Putnam was among the first and most 
conspicuous who stepped forth. Although 
the Americans had been, by many who 
wished their subjugation, indiscreetly as 
indiscriminately stigmatized with the im- 
putation of cowardice — he felt — he knew 
for himself, he was no coward; and from 
what he had seen and known, he believed 
that his countrymen, driven to the extrem- 
ity of defending their rights by arms, 
would find no difficulty in wiping away 
the ungenerous aspersion. As he hap- 
pened to be often at Boston, he held ma- 
ny conversations, on these subjects, with 
General Gage, the British commander-in- 
chief. Lord Percy, Colonel Sheriff, Colo- 
nel Small, and many officers with whom 
he had formerly served, who were now at 
tlie head quarters. Being often question- 
ed, '' in case the dispute should proceed 
to hostilities, what part he would really 
take?" he always answered, " with his 
country ; and that, let whatever might 
happen, he was prepared to abide the con- 
sequence." Being interrogated, whether 
he, who had been a witness to the prowess 
and victories of the British fleets and ar- 
mies, did not think them equal to the 
conquest of a country which was not the 



2G LIFE, ANECDOTES, AND HEPwOIC EXPLOITS 

owner of a single ship, regiment, or mag- ( hostilities commenced. Gen Gage, in 
aziiie?" he rejoined, that "he could only /the evening of the 18th of April, 1775, 
say justice would be on our side, and the ) detached from i oston the grenadiers and 
event with Providence: but that he had , light infantry of the army, commanded by 
calculated, if it required six years for the \ Lieutenant-Colonel Smith, to destroy 
combined forces of England and her col- ) some military and other stores, deposited 
on es to conquer such a feeble country as ;> by the province at Concord. About 
Canada, it would, at least, take a very long i sunrise the next morning, the detachment 
time for England alone to overcome I on marching into Lexington, fired on a 
her own widely extended colonies, which / company of militia, who had just re-as- 
were much stronger than Canada : that ) sembled ; for having been alarmed late at 
when men fought for every thing dear, •) night, with reports that the regulars were 
in what they believed to be the most sa- ^ advancing to demolish the stores, they col- 
cred of all causes, and in their own na- ) lected on their parade, an 1 were dis- 
tive land, they would have great advanta- > missed with orders to re-assemble at beat 
ores over their enemies, who were not in ) of drum. It is established by the affida- 
tlie same situation ; and that, having ta- / vits of more than thirty persons who were 
ken into view all circumstances, for his .| present, that the first fire, which killed 
own part, he fully beliexed that America i eight of the militia, then beginning to 
would not be so easily conquered by Eng- j, disperse, was given by the British without 
land as those gentlemen seemed to expect." ^ provocation. The spark of war, thus 
Being once, in particular, askel, "wheth- ) kindled, ran with unexampled rapidity, and 
er he did not seriously believe that a well \ raged with unwonted violence. To repel 
appointed British army of five thousand < the aggression, the people of the border- 
veterans could march through the whole 1 ing towns spontaneously rushed to arms, 
continent of America?" He replied ; and poured their scattering shot from eve- 
briskly, " No doubt, if they behaved civ- \ ry convenient station on the regulars, who, 
illy, and paid well for every thing they ( after marching to Concord, and destroy- 
wanted : but" — after a moment's pause, ) ing the magazine, would have found their 
added, — " if they should attempt it in a ) retreat intercepted, had they not been re- 
hostile manner (though the American men \ inforced by LordPercy, with the battalion 
were out of the question) the women, with } companies of three regiments, and a body 
their ladles and broomsticks, would knock ) of marines Notwithstanding the junc- 
them all on the head before they had tra- \ tion, they were hard pushed, and pursued 
veled half way through," Th's was the \ until they could find protection from their 
tenor of these amicable interviews ; and \ ships. Of the British, two hundred and 
thus, as it commonly happens in disputes ) eighty-three were killed, wounded and 
about future events which depend on \ taken. The Americans had thirty-nine 
opinion, they parted without conviction, ( killed, nineteen wounded, and two made 
no more to meet in a friendly manner, un- ? prisoners. 

til after the appeal should have been made] Nothing could exceed the celerity with 
to Heaven, and the issue confirmed by | which the intelligence flew every where, 
the sword. In the mean time, to provide ^ that blood had been shed by the British 
against the worst contingency, the militia > troops. The country, in motion, exhibit- 
in tlie several colonies were sedulously ) ed but one scene of hurry, preparation, 
trained; and those select companies, the ( and revenge. Putnam, who was plough- 
flower of our youth, which were denom-? ing when he heard the news, left his 
inated minutemen, agreeably to the indi- plough in the middle of the field, unyoked 
cation of their name, held themselves ini his team, and without waiting to change 
readiness to march at a moment's warn-^ his clothes, set off for the tlieatre of ac- 
ing. ) tion. But finding the British retreated to 

At length the fatal day arrived, when^ Boston, and invested by a sufficient force 



OF MAJOR-GENERAL PUTNAM 



■27 



to watch their movements; lie came back which, however, he thought prudent at 
to Connecticut,* levied a regiment, under ^that time to conceal from public notice, 
authority of the legislature, and speedily <; It could scarcely have been expected, 
returned to Cambridge.! He was now )but by those credulous patriots who were 
promoted to be a Major-General on the -prone to believe whatever they ardently 
Provincial staff, by his colony; and, in a uiesired, that officers assembled from colo- 
little time, confirmed by Congress, in the (nies distinct in their manners and predju- 
same rank, on the Continental establish- , 'dices, selected from laborious occupations, 
ment. General Ward, of iVlassachusetts, j-to command a heterogenous crowd of 
bv common consent, commanded the Jtheir equals, compelled to be soldiers on- 
whole; and the celebrated Dr, Warren ^ly by the spur of the occasion, should Jong 
was made a Major-General. ^be able to preserve harmony among their 

Not long after this period, the Hritish )followers. As the fact would be a phe- 
commander-in-chief found the means to nomenon, the idea was treated with mirth 
convey a proposal, privately, to General Sjand mockery by the friends to the British 
Putnam, that if he would relinquish the Government. Yet tliis unshaken embryo 
rebel party, he might rely upon being ^of a military corps, composed of militia, 
made a Major-General on the British es- ^minutemen, volunteers, and levies, with a 
tablishment, and receiving a great pecu )burlesque appearance of multiformity in 
niary compensation for his services. ;,arms, accoutrements, clothing, and con- 
General Putnam spurned at the offer ; .^duct, at last grew into a regular army — an 
- * General Putnam w.is absent only one we^ army which, having vindicated the rights 
fromtlie army at Cambridge ; and tben for the )of human nature, and established the in- 
purpose of consultation with the L?gislatui-e of '•dependenee of a new empire, merited and 
Connecticut, at that time in session; and at the -.^^^^ ^,^^ gjorious distinction of the 
particular request ot that body. Havmg assisted, ' . & _ 

by his advice, to the organization of a military ^p'atriot army— the patriot army, whose 
force, for the campaign of 1775, he returned ini- )praise3 for their fortitude in adversity, 
mediately to the army before Boston, 'eaving ,;^^jj^.g^y ^^ battl«, moderation in Conquest, 
orders for the troops to follow with as little delay ', „ • ^. ,„„„„,:, .„ ,u„ „_,,oi ov 

11 r .u ij I \- i i / CI (oerseverance in supportms tne cruel ex- 

aspossibe, after the men coud beenusted. — ' La- ^V''"^^ ^ ^^ *^ 



ilor.) 



treinities of hunger and nakedness, with- 



t An article void of foundation, mentioning an )()\xi a murmur or sigh, as well as for their 
interview between General Gage and General ^j^^^i^^jj^j^H j„ retiring to civil life, at the 
Putnam, appeared in the English gazettes.in these ; " , -^ . '=! , „,,„^ • ,u„i- 

words: -General Gage, viewini the Amencan (moment ot victory, with arms in their 
army with his telescope, saw General Putnam in^hands, and without any jUSt competisa- 
it. which surprised him ; and he contrived to get ^tjon for their services, will only cease to 
a message delivered to him that he wanted to J. celebrated when time shall exist no 

S[)eak to him. Putnam without any hesitation / 

waited upon him. General Gage shewed him; more. r ik 

his fortifications, and advised him to lay down his ) Enthusiasm for the cause of liberty, 

arms. General Putnam replied, he could force (;jjubstituted in the place of discipline, not 

his fortifications in half an hour, and advised <^^, ,;, j^^ ^^^ eng. 

General Gage to go on board the ships with his '^"" J '^'=^' ' p .u i .•., r 

troops." ^ ^ "^ jbled them at once to perform the duties of 

The apprehension of an attack is adduced with ^ a disciplined army. Though the com- 
much more vori-similitude in M'Fingal. as the ^,|,^ridin(T officers from the four colonies of 
reason why General Gage would not sufFer the ^ Encrland were in a manner indepen- 

mhabitants to go Irom the town of Boston, after /^t;^^ '-'"o'^""^ "^'^ '" . ^ 

he had promised to grant permission: dent, they acted harmoniously in concert. 

" So Gage of late agreed, you know, -The first attention had been prudently di- 



To let the Boston people go ; 



rected towards forming some little re- 



Yet when he saw, 'gainst troops that braved him, 1 , , j ■ . i ^^t„ . C^^ ;* ;= itrall 

They were the onlyjuards thatsav'd lum, {^^^^ <1.'l^ mtrenchuients , for it IS well 

Kept oti" that Satan of a Putnam, 

From breaking in to maul and mutt'n him, 

He'd too much wit such leagues t' observe, 

And shut them in again to starve." 

M' Faigul, Canto 1. 



^ known that lines, however slight or unte- 
nable, were calculated to inspire raw sol- 
diers with a confidence in themselves. 
The next care was to bring the live stock 



28 LIFE, ANECDOTES. AXD HEROIC EXPLOITS 

from the islands in Boston bay in order to Al mul-tiay, four battalions of foot, ten 
prevent the enemy, (alreadr surrounded^cornpanies of grenadiers, ten companies 
by land,) from making use of them, for^of light infantry, with a proportion of ar- 
fresh provisions. In the latter end ofjtiliery, commanded by Major-General 
May, between two and Ihree hundred men'Howe, landed under a heavy cannonade 
were sent to drive off the stock from Hog^from the ships, and advanced in three 
and Noddle islands, which are situated outlines to the attack The licht infantry 
the north-east side of Boston harbor, ^beitig formed on the right, was directed to 
Advantage having been taken of the ebb ^turn the left flank of the Americans; and 
tide, when the water is fordable between Hhe grenadiers, supported by two battal- 
the main and Hog island, as it is betweenjions, to storm the redoubt in front, 
that and Noddle island, the design was^ Meanwhile, on application, the.se troops 
effected. But a skirmish ensued, in^^ere lugmented by the 47th regiment, 
which some of the marines, who had been^tho 1st battalion of marines, together with 
stationed to guard them, were killed ; and'^some companies of light infantry and 
as the firing continue 1 between the Brit-Jgrenadiers, which formed an aggregate 
ish water-craft and our party, are-inforce-Jforce of between two and three thousand 
ment of three hundred men, with two^nen.* But so difficult was it to re-enforce 
pieces of artillery, was ordered to join the Americans, by sending detachments 
the latter. General Putnam took the^ across the Neck, which was raked by the 
command, and having gone down on thejl cannon of the shipping, thatnot more than 
beach, within conversing distance, and ^ fifteen hundred men^were' brought into 
inefectualhj ordered the people on board jaction. Few instances can be produced 
an armed schooner to strike,-he plied herein the annals of mankind, where soldiers 
with shot so furiously, that tliecrew made? who never had before faced an enemy, or 
iheir escape, and the vessel was burnt ^ heard the whistling of a ball, behaved with 
An armed sloop was so much disabled as;such deliberate and persevering valor, 
to be towed off by the boats of the fleet, j General Putnam rode through the line, 
Thus ended this affair, in which several^ and ordered that no one should fire till 
hundred sheep, and some cattle, were re-hhey arrived within eight rods, nor anyone 
moved from under the muzzles of the j till' commanded. "Powder was scarce 
enemy's cannon, and our men, accustom-j and must not be wasted. They should not 
ed to stand fire, by being for many hours fire at the enemy till they saw the white of 
exposed to it, without meeting with any ^ their eyes, and then fire low, take aim at 
'•^s^- Uheir waistbands. They were all marks- 

The provincial Generals, having receiv-) men. and could kill n squirrel at a hundred 
ed advice that the British commander-in-^yards ; reserve their fire, and ihe enemy 
chief designed to take possession of the; were ail destroyed. Aim at the handsome 
heights on the peninsula at Charlstown. coats, pick off the commanders." The 



detached a thousand men in the night of game orders were reiterated by Prescott 
the Ifith June, under the orders of Gen- Lt the redoubt, by Pomeroy, Stark, and all 
eral Warren, to intrench themselves on)ihe veteran officers. 

one of these eminences, named Bunker The enemy were within gunshot of the 
Hill. Though retarded by accidents^redoubt ; a few of the sliarp shorters 
from beginning the work until nearly mid-) 

night, yet, by dawn of day, thev had con-) ^ „ ,. , . , , 

. ^ ■ 11,1 . . "i ) The precediiiir purairraph was copied from a 

structed a redoubt abouteignt reds square, 3^;^;^,^ Register, being the Enfrli«h accountof the 
and commenced a breastwork from thehroopssent to the attack of Bunker Hill, and the 
left to the low grounds; which an insuf ^di-^position of those troops. This account, and 

ferable fire from the shippin^r, floating^*'^'^"^- P"^^''^,'^'",'' =^' '*'<' '.''•'^' ^'"^ ^'*="^;"ff "^®' 
, , • , ,',' 7 nil ■ <coniiiKind ol me American lorce to IVuncn, 

batteries, and cannon on l.opp s Ildl, in p^opablv occasioned the historical error on that 
Boston, prevented them from completing.'' subject." (Editor.) 



OF MAJOR-GENERAL PUTNAl 



m 



tould not resist the temptation and fired.; The British had neglected the only ma- 
Prescott was indignant at this contempt ,^noeuvre which would have defeated the 
of his orders; waving his sword, he swore ^enemy, to mount the works and charge 
instant death against the first who dis0"^with the bayonet. The Americans had 
beyedag»in, appealed to their well known ■scarcely a bayonet to a company, and it 
confidence in him, and promised to give, must have succeeded. Under coyer of 
them orders at the proper moment. /the hill they prepared for another onset. 

The enemy were at eight rods distance,. Their fellow soldiers on the r:'ght ar- 
the deadly muskets were leveled vvhen s^j^^^j ^^^^^^ ^^^ time of this attack on the 
Prescott commanded h.s '"en to take good ^^.^^^^^^^ ^^ ^^i^,^;,^ about one hundred yards 
aim, besure of tlie.r mark and fire. He^^f ^be Americans. They were throwing 
was effectually obeyed, fhe whole TrontJ^^^^^ ^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^ ^^,^ marksmen fired 
rank was swept away, and many a gallant, ^^ t,,^,_^ p^^^^^^ ^^^ ^.^^^ ^^ ^^ ^^i^ 
ofhcer was laid low They were, ^^^>Yy''^d-^sohe6\ence oi an order on which the 
er, countrymen ot those who gave the fire, ^^^1^^^;^,^ ^j. ,^,,^ depended; he rode 

and received it with the same cool cour^^^^ t,^^ .pot, his sword whistling through 
age with which .t was given Kank suc-.^^^^ ^^ ';,^ ,^i^ indignation, he threatened 
ceededrank and returned the fire, but the ^t^^^jj^^^^ ti^^ ^%^ ^,,,^^ ^^^^^ ^^ ^^^ 
odds was fearful; the Americans were Nj^ ^i^^out orders. The discharge 
well protected by the «'orks ; the efforts ^j-^,,^ ^,^^^g j-^^^ ^,^^1^^,^^ however, drew 
and courage of the enemy were in vain, ^^^j^^ j;^^ j-^^^^ t,^^ enemy's line, which con- 
and with surly reluctance they were com- !^.^^^^ ^^^^.-^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^,^^,^ ' ^^^^^^ ^-^^^^ 
pelied to retreat. ;; rods from the fence, the fatal order was 

Warren animated and encouraged the^given ; the fire of the Americans mowed 
men, and with the rest of the ofiicers, set 'tliem down with the same tremenduous 
them an example with his musket; there ;)j;everity, as at the redoubt. The officers 
was scarcely an officer of any grade, ex- 'especially fell victims to their deadly aim. 
cept Putnam and Prescott, without one. ( 

Perfect as was the fire of the Ameri- During the tremenduous fire of musket- 
can infantry, their artillery was as gross- ^""y ^^^^ '■^'^'" "* cannon, M'Clary's stento- 
ly defective in every respect. This arm :"''i" ^"'^e was heard, anuuating and en- 
requires science, experience, and knosvl- ^couraging the men,, as though he would 
edge of position. But the artillery com- ^',"spire every ball that sped with his own 
panics were just selected from the infant-)"''^ "^"^ ene?g}. 

ry,and entirely ignorant of their duty. ^ The British fired their heaviest vollie^ 
Oallender earned his pieces into action, .^f ,,,^^],^i,, ,,,,^1, admirable coolness and 
but his catridges required adjusting. To-. _.^^^,^^^j -^^^^ ^^j^,^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^ ,j^^ ^.^p^. 
tally m violation of military discipline, ^^^ ^^^,ns, ^nd hnd nlniost every ball passed 
lell his post without orders, and was retire harmless over them. Their artillery had 
ing to a secure place under cover of the i^^en stopped by the brick kilns in the low. 
hdi, to prepare for firing. Putnam ^b- ; ,^j^^j ^^^^^.^^ 1,^^!^ ^^-^^t. This 

served this appearance of retreat, and was ^._; ^^^^^^ j^^^i ^^^,^,.3^ the ground 

fired with mdignat.on; he ordered him in- ^^,.^^^ their dead, were at length compelled 
stantly tohis post; Callender remonstrated, y^^^^-^^^ ^^ retreat ; and the huzza of vie 
but Putnam threatened him with 'nstant^^^^^ ^^.^^j^^^j ^1^^^.^ the American line, 
death, it he hesitated, and forced him 

back. His men, however, were distrusted ' General Ward had bv this time des- 
with a part of the service they did not un-' patched sufficient re-inforcements, but 
derstand, most of them had muskets and they did not reach the field. The fire 
mingled in the fight; the pieces were across the Neck wore an aspect too ter- 
entirely deserted, and the Captain) rific for raw troops to venture through it. 
relinquished them. 'Putnam flew to the spot to overcome their 



m U?P., ANECDOrRS, AND HEROIC EXPLOITS 

fears and hurry ihem on before the enemy? order \ras so p;Upably absurd, With their 
returned. He entreated, threatened, andnhree pounders, that Capt lin Trevitt abso-' 
uiicouraged them ; lashing his hofse with^iutely refused obedience, ordered his men 
the flat of his sword, he rode back\vard('to follow him. an I marched for the lines, 
and forward across the Neck, through the) Major Gridley was sensible his" artillery 
hottest tire, to convince tiiein there was no^ would be hazarded without infantry to 
danger. The balls ho^ve^•cr threw up cover them. Colonel Mansfield had been 
clouds of dust about him, and the ?oldiers ordered with his regiment to re-enforce 
were perfectly cf)nviiiced that he was in-\the troops at Charlestown, but being per- 
vulnerable, but not efjually conscious ofciemptorily commanded by Major Gridley, 
being so Ihcm.selvps.* Some of these) whom he considered high military author- 
troops, however, ventured over. ity, to cover his pieces, he complied, in 

The battalion of artillery under Major^violation of his orders. 
Gridley had proceeded but a few hundred^ Genera! Putnam left the neck for Bunk- 
rods down the road to Charlestown. when^er Hill to bring up the reinforcements, 
they were halted, and this officer deter- He there found Colonel Gerrish with his 
mined not to proceed to the hill, but waitjregim.ent and some scattered troops. The 
and cover the retreat, which he considered) Colonel had been a Captain in the pro- 
inevitable. He was young Pnd inexperi-Jvincial army of 17.56, he was of unwield* 
enced, and totally inadequate to the inijior-, ;!y corpulence, and a disposition by far too 
tant command which had been conferred) quiet for a soldier's. Me had marched 
on him in compliment to his father, Colo-<;his men rapidly from Cambridge, and un- 
nel Gridley. He was confound.;d withthejwisely halted them here to °rest. The 
dangers and difficulties of his situation,) blazing sun and tremendous fire of the 
and never recovered his self possession J enemy combined were far too powerful for 
during the day. )the faintness of his military ardor to over* 

While the artillery was halted in this)come. The men were disorganized and 
situation. Colonel James Frye, (who was s dispersed on the w.st side of the hill, and 
absent from his regiment on duty the day /covered, by the summit from the fire, 
before, but the battle approaching, had )putnam ordered them on to the lines ; he 
found his way to the field,) riding from entreated and tlireatened them, and some 
Charlestown, gallopped up to them, and , of the most cowardly he knocked down 
demanded of the senior captain,! '• why.; with his sword, but all in vain. The men 
this unseasonable halt ! '' He was aston- ■ complained they had not their officers; 
ished at the reply, and ordered them in-', he offered to lead them on himself, but the 
stanlly to the field. This veteran also u cannon were deserted, and they stood 
animated their courage by the glorious^ no chance without them." The battle 
recollection " this day thirty years since, /indeed appeared here in all its horrors. 
" I was at the taking of Louisbourg when , The British musketry fired high, and took 
••it was surrendered to us; it is a fortu- ? effect on this elevated hill, and it was 
"'nate day for America, we shall certainly 'completely exposed to tlie combined fire 
" beat the enemy." ' from their ships, batteries, and field ])ieces. 

The artillery proceeded. Gridley join- ) The enemy were by this time organized 

edthem; but his aversion to joining in ^ anew, and were again advancing to the 

the cngagemem was invincible, and he^attack. Putnam's^duty called him to the 

ordered them on to Cobble Hill, to fire at 'lines. At thi<. time Captain Ford appear- 

the Glasgow and floating batteries. The^ed »vith his company. He served in a re- 

_, ' )giment under the veteran Lieutenant Par- 

n 1^ nf^M^Tl ?n '? P'^'^'i^y 'h^'^^P-^ker and Major Brooks Of them he had 
osition ol Mr. bnrauol iJasset ; ll)e otlier circum-/ i i , . c i i- tt t. j 

stances by oral testimony. / learned the duties of a soldier. He had 

t He was living in in 1B12. and from whom we J already signalized himself at Lexington 

have this anecdote. ''battle, by killing five of the enemy. His 



OF MAJOR-GEMERAL PUTNAM. 31 

orders were to proceed to the lines, and^vvhat was a thousand times more impor- 
re-inforce the troops ; he obeyed, marched jtant, a knowledge of their weapons. Their 
unconcerned across the Neck, and was ''aim was too elevated, and the enemy were 
proceeding down Bunker Hill, when Put-' hidden behind their works. Some of 
nam was delighted with an aid so oppor»? their balls, however, took effect, and a few 
tune. Calender's deserted cannon were \ of the privates fell victims. The brayfe 
at the foot of the hill ; he ordered Captain ( Major Moore was mortally wounded. 
Ford with his company to draw them into^ Major Buck minster received abal! throucrh 
line. The Captain remonstrated " his ^ the shoulder, and was crippled for life, 
company were totally ignorant of the dis-,) To add new horrors to the scene, vast 
cipline and employment of artillery " ^columns of smoke were now observed over 
But the General peremptorily persisting ;Charlestown, and passed to the south over 
in his order, he obeyed; his company J,the American lines. General Howe, on 
moved with the cannon and the General /his fiist advance, had sent word to Gener- 
to the rail fence. ^ al Burgoyne ami General Clinton, on 

The heroic enemy with unwavering step/ (!opp's Hill, that his left flank was annoy- 
and firm undaunted bravery appeared ^ed by musketry from Charlestown, and 
again before the murderous lines which ('ordered them to burn it down. A carcass 
had already compelled them to retreat. /was fired, but fell short near the ferry 
They had nearly the same obstacles to'^vvay; a second fell in the street, and the 
overcome as before. Their cumbrous, town was on fire. The conflagration was 
knapsacks, tall and almost impassable) completed by a detachment of men who 
grass, and a torrid sun, blazing in face of 'landed from the Somerset. The whole 
them, they had to contend against, as well /town was combustible. The flames as- 
as an enemy every way worthy of them, ^cended to heaven on the lofty spire of the 
One new obstacle they had to pass, the /church, and resembled the eruptions of a 
dead bodies of their fellow soldiers which , vast volcano in solemn grandeur and sub- 
covered the ground. But thisserv^id rath- limity. The advance of the enemy was 
er to stimulate them to still more daring' not obscured by the smoke from Charles- 
efforts to avenge their fall. The last of < town ; they were in full view of the Amer- 
the re-inforcements, a few companies of icans. Putnam now, with the assistance 
marines arrived on the left. of Captain Ford's company, opened his 

The Americans were now tnore confi artillery on them. He had on this day 
dent and perfect than before in a manoeu- performed the service of General, engi- 
vre which had bf^en crowned with success. | neer, and guide, and he now turned can-^ 
It was indeed perfectly simple, but equal- nonier, with splendid success, and to the 
ly fatal to the foe. They received orders highest satisfaction of his surrounding 
to reserve their fire till the enemy ap-| countrymen. Each company of artillery 
proached still nearer than before. At had but twelve catridges, and these were 
six rods only they were permitted to re-; soon expended. He pointed the cannon, 
turn the fire. The British artillery ap- the balls took effect on the enemy, and one 
proached by the narrow road between the /case of canister made a lane through 
tongue of land and Breed's Hill, within them. As in Milton's battle, 
three hundred yards of the rail fence, and '/ ., p^^, dissipation followed and forced rout." 
almost in a line with the redoubt, and', 

opened on the lines to prepare a way for /With wonderful courage, however, the en- 
their infantry. The latter commenced a'emy closed his ranks, and the fire became 
regularand tremendous volley by platoons '^general on both sides. The Americans 
and their fire soon became general. But ; suffered the enemy to approach still nearer 
unfortunately for them, though perfect in'ithan before ; men and officers fell in pro- 
drill discipline, and regular movements of/ miscuous heaps; whole front ranks of 
parade, they were as grossly unskilful in' them were swept away. 



33 LIFE, ANECDOTES, AND HEROIC EXPLOITS 

GeneraMVard was withoutstafF officers junction and glorious example were not 
to ber.r his commands, excepting one aid, lost; and that his son was worthy of him. 
and a secretary, who performed lhe\ 'Ihese reinforcements, with Captain 
duty. During the whole day tliese werei Clark and Captains Chester and Coit, who 
mounted and oa full speed between Breed's) soon followed with their companies, sup- 
Hill and head quarters. Loss and neg- \ plied the places of those who had expend- 



lect of orders were the inevitable Conse-(ed their ammunition and left the ground, 
quence, Colonel Gardner's regiment ahd( and of the detachment sent off with the 
others who had been posted between Cam- intrenching tools, who, in contempt of 
bridae and Chariestown, to wait further ) their orders, never returned, 
orders, were overlooked. The battle was; 'I'he British had a long time borne the 
ratrinor, and no orders arrived. The T'o^j murderous fire of the enemy, but their as-* 
lonel was a gentleman of rank, had been ^ tonislung. fortitude and daring efforts were 
a member of the legislature, and com '; useless against the insuperable difficulties 
nianded a fegiment of militia, which. |, they encountered. Nearly a thousand of 
marching to Lexington to join in the en- < their number had fallen, with an incredi- 
gagenient there, suddftn4y opened on the;l)ie proportion of the bravest officers. 
British artillery ; being entirely void of^ Tiie distinguished Colonels Abercrombie 
cover they dispersed. His gallant soul ^ and Williams, and Major t^pendiove, had 
felt theif conduct as a stigma on himself, ) purchased fame with their lives, 
and he resolved on the earliest opportuni-;! The gallant Major Small was leftsiand- 
ry to wipe the spot from his eecutcheon { ing alone, every one shot down about him. 
A glorious occasion was before him, and j The never erring muskets were leveled at 
he panted to cmbriice it — to reap the hon-', him, and a soldier's fate was his inevitable 
ors of victory^ or death and lasting fame, /destiny, had not Putnam at the instant ap- 
The latter fate was decreed him. He peared. Each recognized in the other an 
called to him his officers, and offered toxoid friend and fellow soldier; the tie was 
lead them into battle; most of them, with sacred ; Putnam threw up the deadly mus- 
three hundred of his men, followed him. kets with his sword, and arrested his fate. 
He led them over Bunker Hill, viewed ^ He begged his men to spare that officer, 
with unconcern the battle scene on the^ as dear to him as a brother. Th<; Gener- 
hill before him, terrible as Mount Sinai, al's humane and chivalroiis generosity e.v 
and with glorious anticipations, was de-\ cited in them new admiration, and his 
scending to the engagement, when a mus-i friend retired unhurt, 
ket ball entered his groin, and the vvound| The undaunted Howe still led on his 
proved mortal. He gave his men his last j men in the hottest of the battle. His 
solemn injunction, to conquer or die, and^ friend and volunteer aid. Gordon, and 
was carried off the field. He soon met ) Captain Addison, a descendant from the 
Captain Trevctt advancing with his artil- j, author of the Spectator, were slain, and 
lery, and an interesting and heroic inter- / almost every other officer of his staft, or 
view ensued between the Colonel and near him, was shot. Mortified and indig* 
Captain Trevett's second Lieutenant, nant at so mucli blood wa.sted in vain, he 
Gardner, his son, a mere youth of nine-/ seemed to court an honorable death to 
teen. The son was in an agony at the hide him from the disgrace of a second 
desperate situation of his father, and \ defeat by an enemy he despised as peas* 
would have attended him off the ground. ) ants and rebels. His life seemed charm- 
But the Colinel prohibited this. " He ed. and he Avas compelled to follow his 
should not be alarmed at his situation, he( army, who again retreated, and left their 
was engaged in a good cause, and must, enemy to taste, a second time, tiie joys of 
march on and do his duty." The distract- f victory. 

cd son obeyed, and his dying father had^ The exi.ltation of the Americans was 
the consolation to learn that the last in-) glorious and well deserved, but it was, 



OP MAJOR-GENERAL PUTNAM. 



S3 



alas, shortlived. They had leisure to re- 
alize the entire hopelessness of their situ- 
ation. Their ammunition was expended, 
and they were as destitute of every offen- 
sive weapon as the naked savages, their 
predecessors. Prescott found a few artil- 
lery cartridges, which he distributed to 
his men, and they determined to show a 
resolute frynt to the enemy, to club their 
muskets, and even employ the stones 
thrown up with the parapet against them. 
Their only hope, however, was from a 
want of fortitude in the enemy, and that 
they had twice this day proved was slender 
indeed. 

General Mowe gave his men orders to 
prepare pgain to advance. Some of the 
officers remonstrated, that it would be 
mere butchery to lead them on again ; 
but the General?, and nearly every officer, 
were indignant at a distant suspicion ol 
their yielding the victory to these rebels, 
an undisciplined rabble, of inferior num- 
bers, after all their boasting, and after they 
ihad poured out every epithet of contempt 
against them. To conquer or die was 
(heir resolve. 

Bloody experience at last opened their 
eyes to their egregious errors. Their over- 
weening confidence was laid aside, and a 
calculated, deliberate, and judicious plan 
of attack adopted. The overloaded knap- 
sacks were relinquished ; firing with mus- 
ketry was prohibited, and a charge with 
th'i bayonet resorted to. The attack 
was to be more concentrated ; while the 
troops at the rail fence were amused by a 
show of force, the grand effort was to be 
against the redoubt and breastwork, and 
particularly the right flank. 

The accomplished and chivalrous Gen- 
eral Clinton now joined and brought his 
splendid talents into the council, and his 
distinguished gallantry into the field. Im- 
mediate and inconceivable was the sensa- 
tion his appearance produced at this mo- 
ment of deep despondence. From Copp's 
Hill he had observed with shame and in- 
dignation the double rout of his country- 
men, and particularly that the two distin- 
guished battalions, the marines, and forty- 
seventh, were staggered and wavering, 
c 



Without wailing for orders, he threw him- 
self into a boat, passed over, and soon 
breathed into them his own exalted hero- 
ism. 

; General Howe a third time commanded 
] a forward movement to scale the works, 
and rush on the enemy with the bayonet. 
He came to the left to lead on to the re- 
doubt himself. Clinton joined General 
J Pigot and the marines on the left, to turn 
^ the right flank of the Americans. The 
i artillery were ordered to advance still 
\ farther than before on their old rout, and 
turn the left of the breastwork to rake 
the line. General Howe ai last became 
.sensible that this was the most vulnerable 
[ point and key of his enemy's position. 

The Americans made every preparation 
possible to repel the last desperate effort 
of the enemy. Putnam again rode to the 
rear, and exhausted every art and effort to 
bring on the scattered re-enforcements. 
Captain Bayley, only, of Colonel Gerrish's 
regiment, advanced to the lines, and Cap- 
tain Trevett now arrived at the rail fence 
with his pieces. 

The enemy stripped off their knap- 
sacks, and many of them their coats ; the 
artillery pushed on by the road on the 
north, the forty-seventh and marines near 
the road on the south side of the hill, and 
the remains of the royal Irish and other 
regiments, and part of the grenadiers and 
light infantry, in front. Their past efforts 
had exhausted the strength and spirit of 
many of the men, who lingered in the 
rear, and their gallant officers were com- 
pelled to urge them on with their swords. 
Some of the less resolute fired their pie- 
ces, but the great masses obeyed their or- 
ders, and with firmness moved on to the 
charge. They arrived under the fire of 
the Americans, who improved to advan- 
tage their last opportunity for vengeance. 
Every shot took effect. The gallant Howe 
at last received a ball in the foot, where, 
only, like Achilles, he seemed to be vul- 
nerable, but continued to animate his 
men. 

A few only of the Americans had .1 
charge of ammunition remaining. They 
had sent for a supply in vain ; a barrel 



34 LIFE, ANECDOTES, AND HEROIC EXPLOITS 

and a half only were in the magazine.? for dead, when he seized his opportunity 
They resorted next lo stones, but these; and escaped. 

served only to betray their weakness, and| The heroic but diminutive Pigot ran up 
lent new energy to the foe. ^ the south-east corner of the redoubt, as- 

Thc artillery advanced to the open^sisted by a tree left standing there, and 
space between the brea.stwork and raiK desperately led on his men. Troops sue- 
fence; this ground was defended by sonici, ceeded troops over the parapet, and Pres- 
brave Essex troops, covered orJy by scat-; cott exhausted every resource to repel 
tered trees. With resolution and deadly ■! them, even with the buts of hia guns, 
aim they poured the most destructive vol-i. But he had now his last great victory 
hes on the enemy. 'I'he cannon, howev-) to achiere, to which all his past toils, 
er, turned the breastwork, enfiladed the dangers, and privations, were nothing, 
line, and sent their balls through the open( He had twice conquered the enemy ; he 
gateway or sally port, directly into the re) had now a jnore difficult task, to conquer 
doubt, under cover of which the troops at) himself, to bend doivn his lofty soul, and 
the breastwork were compelled to retire, (turn his back to the enemy. Perfectly 

The enemy bravely bore the deadly fire,/ careless of his own life, he had no right 
and continually closing his broken ranks.) to trifle with the lives of his men. It was 
deliberately advanced on every side of the( a sacred deposit they had intrusted to his 
redoubt except the north. They were nowi honor, a bond which he never forfeit- 
under the eastern side of the redoubt and|)ed. Instead of a useless waste of life, 
covered from 'the fire. The Americans re-( with a "nil desperandum," he quelled 
tired to the side opposite to take them as^ his revolting spirit and ordered a retreat, 
they rose. Lieutenant Prescott, a nephewj- General Ward had gratified at last the 
ot theColonel, received a ball through the^ ardent wishes of the Connecticut troops 
arm; it hung broken and useless by his side. ^ to join their beloved General. Captains 
The Colonel ordered him to content him-) Chester, Clark, and Coit were on the 
self with encouraging his men. But he^ ground with their troops, and Major Dur- 
contrived to load his piece,and was passing; kee's impatience had before this brought 
by the sally poit to rest against tiie enemy, ) him mounted to the field, to join his old 
when a cannon ball cut him to pieces. ) commander and comrade of former wars. 

Young Richardson, of the royal Irish, J Putnam's imagination had already in- 
was the first to mount the works, and was) scribed the victory of Bunker Hill on hia 
instantly shot down ; the front rank which \ coat of arms, when a dark cloud flew 
succeeded shared the same fate. Among,' across the brilliant prospect. The retreat 
these mounted the gallant Major Pitcairne.) of the riwht wing burst upon him. 
and exultingly cried " the day is ours,") The gallant veteran Gridley now re- 
when a black soldier, named Salem* shot|> ceived a ball through the leg, and was 
him through, and he fell. His agonized^ carried off. He had served all night at 
son received him in his arms, and tender-) the intrenchments, and had all day assist- 
ly bore him to the boats. It was he who^ ed in defending his own works, and pro- 
caused the first effusion of blood at hex-/ ving their excellence, 
ington In that battle his horse was shot;; {y,^^^^^^'^ troops fought their way 
under h.m, while he was separated from,; tj^^^^^h ^^e surrounding enemy. The vet 
his troops; with presence of mind he; ^.^^^ g ^^j^ g.^^roft was charging his 
feigned himselt slain; his pistolst werej j a British soldier leaped from the 

taken from the holsters, and he was le ft.) parapet., touching him as he came to the 

* A contribution was made in the army for this-; ground, and leveled at him; they fired 
soldier and he was prosonted to Washington, as , toorether ; the Captain tore him to pieces, 
having performed this feat. > ^°^ escaped unhurt. One of the men 

pllrarlU?^^^^!!; fL^Xom ' without a™,n„„i.lo„ perceived Lieu.enan. 
wo have the above anecdote. ( Prescott's loaded musket by Us deceased 



OP MAJOR-GENERAL PUTNAM. 35 

master; a Briton obstructed his passage, , him ;* his countrymen were in momenta- 
seizing the loaded musket he brought his)ry expectation of seeing this compeer of 
antagonist to the ground. Ithe immortal Warren (all. He entreated 

Colonel Bridge, who came with the first { them to rally and renew the fight, to finish 
detachment, was one of the last to retreat, (his works on Bunker Hill, and again give 
and was twice severely wounded, in the "i the enemy battle on that unassailable po- 
head and neck. His Lieutenant-Colonel, ^tition, and pledged his honor to restore to 
the veteran Parker, who had escaped l* them an easy victory. Captuin Smith, of 
throujh the whole war of l7o(J, in which > General Ward's regiment, canoe with his 
he h;id signalized himself and especially ' company to re-enforce, joined in the re- 
nt the desperate siege of Fort Frontenac, <, treat, and assisted to keep the enemy at 
'received a ball in the thigh, and was left (bay. 
mortally woanded in the redoubt. } The Americans had retreated about 

rru u- 1 \ir r ^.^a t .i ^ ^ twenty rods before the enemy had lime to 

J he chivalrous Warren Imgered to the, u j ■ , •' . _ 

1 . 11 u I ■ t r 1 • I „ ' '■'^I'V «rid pour in a destructive fire on 

last. Ills exalted spirit disdained as a ( , •' , •' . , , , , , . 

,• ^ . . .u * • •. ki« (them, which destroyed more than they had 

discrrace a retreat the most inevitable. } , . u. c j ■ , , .-> . , ,. 

TT • .1.1 .. * .t f j„ . (lost betore duringthe day. Co onel 'res- 

He animated the men to the most despe- ) ,,,,-, " , -^ , • , , 

„ . , ■ J I u •. ir K J ) cott s adiutant was shot and crippled; 

rate daring: and when hope itselt had,^ . ■ i\ r i • i p ^" ? 

n.i k .n } g • ^j , n w *k -„i ', Captain Uow, ot his regiment, was a so 
lied, he still disdained to ny. With sal- ( ■ , j ■ i • , i , ,., 

, , 1 r II J u- .. (crippled bv a wound in the leg, and Cap- 

len reactance he loilowed his country-/ .^'^r, " c \ i r i? i , ^ 

, ,. . .1 . 1 II f nam Bancroft had a part ol his hand car- 

men, and seemed to court that ball from • j «• 

the enemy, which, a few yards from the \ mi. \ • t c. ■ i 

, ,. ■" J ,' ui- I J J > 1 he American left wing were open y 
redoubt, passed throuorh his head, and se-( , , . , , * , . " -^ 

, ' T- ., , = , ,-. J c i^- (congratulating themselves on their victo- 
•cured to hiin the eternal gratitude ot his) ■ .u • a i ji • 

, • ,*', i- ,, I ) ry, when their Hank was opened by the re- 

coantrymen, and immortaltame through- /^ . r .u • i . mi i 

, .1 ■' ,, ^ treat or the right, 1 he enemy pressed on 

out the world. ^,„ j .u • ,i ■ . „ 

( them, and they were in their turn compelJ- 

Small here repaid the debt of gratitude \ ed to retire. Putnam covered their retreat 
he owed the enemy. He Recognized < ^ith his Connecticut troops, and dared the- 
Warren, his intimate friend, as he was < utmost fury of the enemy, in the rear of 
leaving the- redoubt, called to him for j the whole. These pursued with little ar- 
God's sake to stand and save his life; he ^ dor, but poured in their thundering vol- 
turned and seemed to recognize him, but J [ies, and showers of balls fell like hail, 
kept on. Small commanded the men not ( around the General.! 
(to fire at him ; threw up the muskets with ) He addressed himself to every passion 
his sword, but in vain, the fatal ball had of the troops, to persuade them to rally, 
'■^P"^''- ) to throw up his works on Bunker Hill, 

The enemy came on, exhausted by ^ and make a stand, and, as the last resort, 
their desperate efforts, under a blazing < threatened them with the eternal disgrace 
sun, and broken by the well directed fire. < of deserting their General. He took his 
They had not force to employ the bayonet, > stand near a field piece, and seemed re- 

and were too much broken and mingled ) 

with the enemy to fire their pieces. Their \' 

right and left wings were indeed facina I' * Deposition of Lyman, then a Lieutenant, and 
'^ . , • I 1 A • ^ present, and Miner, a private in the same compa- 

each other, with the Americans between; \ „y. This is confirmed too by the testimony of a 
their fire would have cut down both friend ') disliiiffuished oiBcerof the revolution, yet living, 
and foe. While they formed them.selves ^ '» 1318, who had served with General Putnam ia 
.,„^.., ,i,« \™„--., M„ . J 1 J Uhe French war, and was present, though badly 

anew, the .Americans collected, and made ? ^ . r » & .^ 

a brave and orderly retreat Putnam put ) 

spurs to his foamintr horse and threw him- „,^™', ^^""^ we have from a respectable friend. 
\r \ . ,1 , ,. p I , ( Philip Johnson, Esq., who was present, and livinff 

self between the retreating force and the ;„ ig^S, at Newburvport. His honor and veraci- 
enemy, who were but twelve rods from ^y is surpassed by uo man's. 



de 



LIFE, ANECDOTES, AND HEROIC EXPLOITS 



?:olve(l to brave the foe alone. His troops, 
however, felt it impossible to withstand > 
the overwhelming force of the British 
bayonets; they left him. One sergeant { 
only dared to stand by his General to the / 
last; he was shot down, and the enemy's 
bayonets were just upon the General be- ' 
fore he retired. ( 

General Romeroy continued to animate 
the men, and cut down the enemy him-' 
self, till a well hove ball shattered his , 
musket. The retreat having commenced, 
he disdained to tuj-n his back ; but with 
backward step and lowering front should- 
ered the fragments of his piece and car- 
ried off his men, encouraging them to 
pour in their formidable fire on the enemy. ; 

The premature death of Warren, one { 
of the most illustrious patriots that ever < 
bled in the cause of freedom ; the veteran ( 
appearance of Putnam, collected, yet ar- ; 
dent in action ; together with the aston- ^ 
<shing scenery and interesting group ( 
around Bunker-Hill, rendered this a mag- ) 
nificent subject for the historic pencil. J 
Accordingly Trumbull, formerly an Aid- I 
de-Camp to General Washington, after- \ 
wards Deputy-Adjutant-General of the \ 
northern army, now an artist of great ce- J 
lebrity in Europe, has finished this pic- l 
ture with that boldness of conception, ) 
and those touches of art, which demon- ^ 
strate the master. Heightened in horror I 
by the (lames of a burning town, and the 
smoke of conflicting armies, the princi- ; 
pal scene, taken the moment when War- ^ 
ren fell, represents that hero in the ago- ( 
nies of death, a grenadier on the point of ^ 
bayoneting him, and Colonel Small, to S| 
whom he was familiarly known,- arresting 
the soldier's arms; at the head of the ^ 
British line. Major Pitcairne is seen fall- ^ 
»ng dead into the arms of his son ; and ) 
not far distant General Putnam is placed ') 
at the rear of our retreating troops, in the I 
light blue and scarlet uniform he wore { 
that day, with his head uncovered, and his '' 
sword waving towards the enemy, as it,^ 
were to stop their impetnous pursuit. In ^ 
nearly the same attitude he is exhibited '■ 
by Barlow in that exceUent poem, the Vis-^ 
iou of Columbus, 



" There strit^es bold Putnam, and from all tli3 ptaiflg 
Calls the third host, the tardy re^ir sustains. 
And, 'mid thi' whizzing deatiis that lill the 'lir, 
Waves back lis sivcrd, and dares tlio foil'wingwar.''* 

After this action, the British strongly 
fortified themselves on the peninsulas of 
Boston and Cbarlestown ; while the pro- 
vincials remained posted in the ci^rcun)ja- 
cent country in such a manner as to form 
a blockade. In the beginning of July, 
General Washington, who had been con- 
stituted by Congress Commander-in-chief 
of the American forces, arrived at Cam- 
bridge, to take the command. Having 
formed the army into three grand divis- 
ions, consisting of about twelve regiments 
each, he appointed Major-General Ward 
to command the fight wing, Major-Gener- 
al Lee the left wing, and Major-General 
Putnam the resefve. General Putnam's 
alertness in accelerating the construction 
of the necessary defences was particular- 
ly noticed and highly approved by the 
Commander-in-chief.t 



*The writer of this Essay had occasion of remark- 
ing to the poet and the painter, while they were 
three tliousand miles distant from each other, at 
which distance they had formed and executed the 
plans of their respective productions, the similar- 
ity observahle in their descriptions of General 
Putnam. These Chefs cfauvres are meniioned 
not with a vain presumption of adding eclat of 
duration to works which have received the seal of 
immortalHy, but because they preserve, in the 
sister arts, the same illustration of our hero< 1 
persuade myself I need not apologize lor annexing, 
{he beautiful-linos from the poem in question, oir 
(he death of General Warrei^, 

"There, haptess WaiTen, tliy cold earth xtassp.eti: 
There spring thy laurels in iiuuiortal green ; 
Dearest of (,hiefs that ever press'd the plain, 
In freedom's cause, with early honors, slain, 
Still dear in death, as when in tight you niov'd, 
By hosts applauded, and hy lieav'n approv'd ; 
The faithful muse shall tell the world tliy fame. 
.Viid unborn realms resound th' immortal name." 

t Washington and Putnam were unknown tc 
each other till they met at Cambridge. The open, 
undisguised frankness of the latter, together with his 
great activity and personal industry, in every thing 
pertaining to the ariDy, soon attracted the attention 
of tlie former; an early intimacy was formed and a 
firm friendship established.which continued undis- 
turbed during the whole period they were associa- 
ted in service. It was not in Putnam's nature to be 
idle; inured to habits of industry himself, no man 
was better calculated to make others so : and 
Washington observing the great progress that had 
been made in a short time, and with but few men, 
in raising a work of defence, said to hini — "you 



OF MAJOR-GENERAL PUTNAM. 



37 



About the 29th of July, the declaration ^ 
of Congress, setting forth the reasons of 
their taking up arms, was proclaimed at 
the head of the several divisiosjs. It con- 
clud"d with these patriotic and noble 
sentiments: " In our own native land, in 
defence of the freedom that is our birth- ( 
right, and which we ever enjoyed until the ? 
late violation of it ; for the protection of (■ 
our property, acquired solely by the hon- ^ 
est industry of our forefathers and our-) 
selves; against violence actually offered,; 
we have taken up arms. We shall lay \ 
them down when hostilities shall cease on \ 
the part of the aggressors, and all danger 
of their being renewed shall be removed, 
and not before. 

" With an humble confidence in the 
mercies of the supreme and impartial 
Judge and Ruler of the universe, we 
most devoutly implore his divine goodness 
to conduct us happily through this great 
conflict, to dispose our adversaries to re- 
conciliation on reasonable terms, and, 
thereby, to relieve the empire from the 
calamities of civil war." 

As soon as these memorable words 
were pronounced to General Putnam's di- 
vision, which he had ordered to be para- 
ded on Prospect- Hill, they shouted in 
three huzzas aloud. Amen! whereat (a 
cannon from the fort beinor fired as a sior- 
nal) the new Standard lately sent from 
Coimecticut, was suddenly seen to rise 
and unroll itself to the wind. On one 
side was inscribed, in large letters of gold, 
'•An appeal to IIraven," and on the 
other were delineated the armorial bear- 
ings of Connecticut, which, without sup- 
porters or crest, consist, unostentatiously, 
o( three Vines; with this motto, "Qm« 
traiistulit, suxtinent ;"* alluding to the 
pious confidence our forefathers placed 
in the protection of Heaven, on those 
three allegorical scions — knowledge — 
LIBERTY — RELIGION — which they had 



seem to have tlie faculty, General Putnam, of in- 
fusinij your own infiiistrions spirit inio all the 
worlimoii you employ." (Editor.) 

* Literally, "He io\o transplanted them will 
support them " 



been instrumental in transplanting to 
America. 

The strength of position on the ene- 
my's part, and want of ammunition on 
ours, prevented operations of magnitude 
from being attempted. Such diligence 
was used in fortifying our camps, and such 
precaution adopted to prevent surprise, as 
to ensure tranquility to the troops during 
the winter. In the spring, a position was 
taken so menacing to the enemy, as to 
cause them, on the 17th of March, 1776, 
to abandon Boston, not v/ithout consider- 
able precipitation and dereliction of royal 
stores.* 

As a part of the hostile fleet lingered 
for some time in Nantasket-Road, about 
nine miles below Boston, General Wash- 
ington continued himself in Boston, not 
only to see the coast entirely clear, but 
also to make many indispensable arrange- 
ments. His Excellency, proposing to 
leave Major-General Ward, with a few 
regiments, to finish the fortifications in- 
tended as a security against an attack by 
water, in the mean time despatched the 
greater part of the army to New York, 
where it was most probable the enemy 
would make a descent. Upon the sailing 
of a fleet with troops in the month of Janu - 

* In the expectation that the flower of the Brit- 
ish troops would be employed against the Heights 
of Dorchester, (which had been taken possession 
of by the Americans on tlie night of the 4th of 
March, 1776,) General Washinfjton had concert- 
ed a plan for availing himself of that occasion, to 
attack the town of Boston itself. Four thousand 
chosen men were held in readiness to embark at 
the mouth of Cambridge river, on a signal to be 
given if the garrison should appear to be so weak- 
ened by the detachment made from it to justify an 
assault. These troops were to embark in two di- 
visions, the first to be led by Brigadier-General 
Sullivan, the second by Brigadier-General Greene, 
and the whole to be under the command of Major- 
General Putnam. The boats were to be preceded 
by three floating batteries, which were to keep up 
a'heavy fire on that part of the town where the 
troops were to land. It was proposed that tlie first 
division should land at the powder-house, and 
gain posession of Bea:!on Hill ; the second at 
Burton's Point, or a little south of it, and after se- 
curing that post, to join the other division, force 
the enemy's works, and open the gates in order to 
give admission to the troops from Roxbury. (Ed- 
itor. ) 



38 



LIFE, ANECDOTE:?, AND HEROIC EXPLOITS 



ary, Mnjor-General Lee had been sent to ^ " You will meet the Cluarte^-^^aster- 
ihe'defenceof that city; who, after hav-'. General, Colonel Mifllin, and Commissa- 
ing caused some works to be laid out, ' ry-General.* at New York. As these are 
proceeded to follow that fleet to South ) both men of excellent talents in their dif- 
Carolina. The Commander-in-chief was j ferent departments, you will do well to 
now exceedingly solicitous that these S give them all the authority and assistance 
works should be completed as soon as ( they require: and should a council of 
possible, and accordingly gave, the follow- ^ war be necessary, it is my direction they 
jjjg. ^assist at it. 

" Orders and Instructions for Major- '' Your long service and experience will 
General Putnam. \«"^y. th=in ray particular directions at 

>this distance, point out to you the works 
"As there are the best reasons to be" ( most proper to be first raised; and your 
Ijeve that the enemy's fleet and army, / perseverance; activity, and zeal will lead' 
which left Nantasket-Road last Wednes- you, without ray recoramending it, to ex- 
day evening, are bound to New York, to > ert every nerve to disappoint the enemy's 
endeavor to possess that important post, ) designs. 

and, if possible, to secure the conimuni- ; ^ "■ Devoutly praying that the power 
cation by Hudson's river to Canada, it ^ which has hitherto sustained the American 
must be our care to prevent them from \ arms, may continue to bless them with the 
accomplishing their designs. To that end divine protection. I bid you — farewell. 
I have detached Brigadier General Heath, \ " Given at Head-Quarters, in Cam- 
with the whole body of riflemen, and five ^ bridge, this twenty-ninth of March 1776. 
battalions of the Continental army, by ^ " " G. Washington." 
the way of Norwich, in Connecticut, to J y^.-egted with these commands, Gener. 
New York. These, by an express ar- r ^j p^^,^.^^ ^^^^.^U^j j^^ long and expedi- 
rived yesterday from General Heath I ;> ^j^^^ ^^^^^^ to New York. His first 
have reason to believe, are in New ^ ork. ; caution, upon his arrival, was to prevent 
Six more battalions, under General Sulli- j ^j^^^^^^^^^^ or surprise in the niaht sea- 
van, march this morning by the same ^^^^^ With these objects in view, after 
route, and will, I hope, arrive there in ^ j^^ ^j^^ necessary guards, he issued 
eight or ten days at farthest. 1 he rest ol ^j^ orders.t He instituted, likewise, oth- 
thearmy will immediately follow in di- J ^^ ^^,^^^1^^^^^ regulations to meliorate 
visions, leaving only a convenient space ^^j^^.j^^ of the tn.ops, and to preserve 
between each division, to prevent confu- ^^^^^ ^ agreement thatsubsisted between 
sion, and want of accommodation upon .^j^^^^ ^^^ ^^^ citizens, 
their march. \ ou will, no doubt, rnake ] Notwithstanding the war had now ratred 
the best despatch in getting to New ^ ork. ,^ .^ ^^,^^^ ^^^ ^j^,^ unaccustomed severity 
Upon your arrival there, you will assume ) | 

ihe command, and immediately i)roceed in • 

. ^„ .„ xK^ „;.,„ ,^^^,^,^^^A \ * Colone Joseph Trumbull, eldest sou to tlic 

continumg to execute the ;;/,/n proposed ^^^^^.^^^^^^ ^,^^^^ '^^^^^^ 

by Major-General Lee, for fortifying that +rFNFRAr ornFRS 

. city, and securing the passes of the East \ + GLNERAL OLDERS. 

and North rivers. If, upon consultation j " Head- Quarters, Neio York, April 5, 1776. 
with the Brigadiers General and Rnori- ) " The soldiers are strictly enjoined to retire to 
neers, any "alteration in that plan jg ^heir banacks and q.uirters at tuttoo-beatu.g. and 
iicci , uiij «■ V- J Uo remain there until the. rjteille IS beat. 

thought necessary, you are at liberty to \ »• Necessity obligbs the Oeneral todesire the in- 
make it: cautiously avoiding to break in (habitants of the city to observe the sanie rule, as 
too much upon his main design, unless ^ no P^t^o" will be permitted to pass any sentry af- 

, ., 1 .1 „ ^ ; tor this nirrlit, without the- couutfrsiirn. 

where it may be apparently necessary so j .. ,^,^^ ^„habiiauts. whose busine:>s require it. 
to do, and that by the general voice and '> may know the countersign, by applying to any of 
opinion of the gentleman above mentioned, 'the Brigade-Majors." 



OF MAJOR GENERAL PUTNAM. 



39 



for nearly a year, yet the British ships at 
New York, one of which had once fired 
upon the town to intimidate the inhabit- 
ants, found the means of being supplied 
with fresh water and provisions. General 
Putnam resolved to adopt effectual meas- 
ures for putting a period to this inter- 
course, and accordingly expressed his pro- 
hibition* in the most pointed terms. 

Nearly at the same moment, a detach- 
ment of a thousand continentals was sent 
to occupy Governor's Island, a regiment 
to fortify Red Hook, and some companies 
of riflemen to the Jersey shore. Of two 
boats, belonging to two armed vessels, 
which attempted to take on board fresh 
water from tlie watering place on Staten 
Island, one was driven off by the riflemen, 
with two or three seamen killed in it, and 
the other captured with thirteen. A few 
days afterwards, Captain Vandeput, of 
the Asia man of war, the senior officer of 
ships on this station, finding the intercourse 
with the shore interdicted, their limits 
contracted, and that no good purposes 
could be answered by remaining there, 
sailed, with all the armed vessels, out of 
the harbor. These arrangements and 
transactions, joined to an unremitting at- 
tention to the completion of the defences, 
gave full scope to the activity of General 
Putnam, until the arrival of General 
Washington, which happened about the 
middle of April. 

* PROFIIBITION. 

^* Head- Quarters, New York, Avril 8, 1776. 

" Tlie General informs the inhabitants, that it 
is become absolutely necessary that all commnni- 
catioii between the ministerial fleet and the shore, 
should be iintnediateiy stopped ; for that purpose 
he has given positive orders, the ships should no 
longer bo furnished with provisions. Any inhabit- 
ants, or others, who shall be taken, that have 
been on board, after the publishing of this order, 
or near any of the ships, or going on board, will 
be con-^ideredas enemies, and treated accordingly. 

" All boats are to sail from Beekman slip. 
Captain James Aimer is appointed inspector, and 
■will give permits to oyster-men. It is ordered 
and expected that none attempt going without a 
pass. 

"ISRAEL PUTNAM, 
" Major-General in the Continental army, and 
commander-in-chief of the forces in New York.' 



The Commander-in-chief, in his first 
public orders, " complimented the officers 
who had swu essivcl'j commanded at New 
York, and returned his thanks to them, 
as well as to the officers and soldiers under 
their command, for the many works of de- 
fence which had been bO expeditiously erec- 
ted : at the same time he expressed an ex- 
pectation that the same spirit of zeal for the 
service would continue to animate their 
future conduct." Putnam, who was then 
the only Major-General with the main ar- 
} my, had still a chief agency in forwarding 
) the fortifications, and, vyith the assitance 
of the Brigadiers Spencer and Lord Stir- 
ling, in assigning to the different corps 
their alarm posts. 

Congress having intimated a desire of 
consultmg with the Commander-in-chief, 
on the critical posture of affairs, his Ex- 
c{.llency repaired to Philadelphia accor- 
dingly, and was absent from the twenty- 
first of May, until the sixth of June. 
General Putnam, who commanded in that 
interval, had it in charge to open all let- 
^ ters directed to General Washington, on 
"^1 public service, and, if important, after 
regulating his conduct by their contents, 
to forward them by express ; to expedite 
the works then erecting ; to begin others 
which were specified ; to establish signals 
for communicating an alarm; to guard 
against the possibility cf surprise ; to se- 
cure well the powder magazine; to aug- 
ment, by every means in his power, the 
quantity of cartridges ; and to send Brig- 
adier-General Lord Stirling to put the 
'posts in the Highlands into a proper con- 
dition of defence. He had also a private 
and conjidential instruction^ to afford 
whatever aid might be required by the 
provincial congress of New- York, for ap- 
prehending certain of their disaffected 
citizens ; and as it would be most con- 
venient to take the detachment for this 
service from the troops on Long Island, 
under the command of Brigadier-General 
Greene, it was recommended that this of- 
ficer should be advised of the plan, and 
that the execution should be conducted 
with secrecy and celerity, as well as with 
decency and good ordar. In the records 



40 



LIFE, ANECDOTES, AND HEROIC EXPLOITS 



of the army, are preserved the daily or- 
ders which were issued in the absence of 
the Commander in-chief, who on his re- 
turn, was not only satisfied that the works 
had been prosecuted with all possible des- 
patch, but also that the other duties had 
been properly discharged. 

It was the latter end of June, when the 
British fleet, which had been at Halifax, 
wailing for re-inforcements from Europe, 
began to arrive at New ^ ork. To ob- 
struct its passage, some marine prepara- 
tions had been made. General Putnam, 
to whom the direction of the whale-boats, 
fire-rafts, flat-bottomed boats, and armed 
vessels, was committed, afforded his pat- 
ronage to a project for destroying the en- 
emy's shipping by explosion. A machine, 
altogether different from any thing hither- 
to devised by the art of man, had been 
invented by Mr. David Bushnell,* for suh- 

* David Bushnell, A. M., of Saybrook, in 
Connecticut, invented several other machines for ' 
the annoyance of shipping; these from accidents, 
not militating against the philosophical principles < 
on which their success depended, only partially 
succeeded. He destroyed a vessel in the charge 
of Commodore Symrnonds, whose report to the 
Admiral was published. One of his kegs also 
demolished a vessel near the Long Island shore. 
About Christmas, 1777, he committed to the Del- 
aware a number of kegs, destined to fall among* 
the British fleet at Philadelphia ; but his squadron ' 
of kegs, having been separated and retarded by 
the ice. demolished but a single boat. This ca- 
tastrophe, however, produced an alarm, unprece- 
dented m its nature and degree ; which has been 
80 happily described in the subsequent song, by the 
Hon. Francis Hopkinson, that the event it cele- 
brates will not be forgotten, so long as mankind 
ahall continue to be delighted with works of hu- 
mor and taste. 

THE BATTLE OF THE KEGS.— ^ Song. 
[^Tanc, Moggy Laicder.'\ 

Gallints, atfRnd, and hear n. friend, 

Tlirill forth liarmo.iioiis ditty: 
Stranje thinff-» I'll t •!!, which lute befell 

In I'hiladelphia city. 

'Twas enrly d.iy, as poets say, 

3\\^\. when the sun was rising, 
A Bolilifir atcxid on Ing of wood, 

And saw a sight surprising. 

As in a maz'- he stood to gaze, 

Tho truth cnn't ho di>nii'd, .Sir, 
He spied a >core nf kojis or more, 

Coini) floating down the tide, Sir. 

A sailor, too, in jerkin blue, 
'J'lu) elrinsi; api>oiirauce viewing, ' 



i?narinc it'ivigatlon, which was found to* 
answer the purpose perfectly, of rowing 
horizontally at any given depth under wa- 
ter, and of rising or sinking at pleasure. 
To this machine, called the Ainericar» 
Turtle, was attnched a magazine of pow- 
der, which it was intended to be fastened 
under the bottom of a ship, with a driving 
screw, in such sort, that the same stroke 
which disengaged it from the machine, 
should put the internal clockwork in mo- 
tion. This being done, the ordinary ope- 
ration of a gun-lock at the distance of half 
an hour, an hour, or any determinate 
time, would cause the powder to explode, 
and leave the effect to the common laws 
of nature. The simplicity, yet combina- 
tion discovered in the mechanism of this 
wonderful machine, were acknowledged 
by those skilled in physics, and particu- 
larly hydraulici, to be not less ingenious 

First damn'd his eyes in erent surpriss, 
TJien said — "Some mischief's brewing. 

These kegs now hold the rebels bold, 

PacU'd up like pickled herring ; 
And they're come down t' attack the town 

In this new way of ferry'ng." 

The soldier flew ; the sailor too ; 

And, scar'd almost to death, .Sir, 
Wore out their shoes to spread the news, 

And ran till nut of breath, Sir. 

Now up and down, throughoiu the town. 

Most frantic scenes were acted ; 
And some ran here, and some ran there. 

Like men almost distracted. 

Some fire cried, which some denied, 

But said the earth had quaked : 
An.i girls and boys, with hideous noise,. 

Ran through the town half naked. 

Sir William* he, Bimgas n. flea, 
Lay all this time a snoring ; 

Nor dreamt of harm, as he lay warm- 
In bed with Mrs. L*r*ng. 

Now in a fright, he starts upright, 

Awak'd by such .-» clatter : 
lie rubs both eyes, and boldly cries, 

" For God's sake, what's tlie matter V' 

At his bedside he then espivd 

Sir Erskinef at romiinnd, Sir ; 
Upon one foot he had one boot, 

And t'other in his hand, Sir. 

" Arise! arise ! " Sir Erskine cries : 

" The rebels— more's the piiy — 
Without a boat, are all on float. 

And rang'd before tho city. 



• Sir William ffowe. 
t Sir mUiam Erskine. 



OF MAJOR-GENERAL PUTNAM. 



41 



than novel. The inventor, whose consti- c on board of which the British Admiral, 
tution was too feeble to permit him to per- ( Lord Howe, commanded. In coming up, 
form the labor of rowing the Turtle, had 'the screw had been calculated to perfo- 
taught his brother to manage it vviih per- ■ rate the copper sheathing, unluckily 
fect°dexterity; but unfortunately his broth- ( struck against some iron plates where the 
er fell sick of a fever just before the arri- ' rudder is connected with the stern. This 
val of the fleet. Recourse was therefore , accident, added to the strength of the tide 
had to a sergeant in the Connecticut which prevailed, and the want of adequate 
troops; who, having received whatever ( skill in the sergeant, occasioned such de- 
instructions could be communicated to (lay, that the dawn began to appear, 
him in a short time, went, too late in the ) whereupon he abandoned the magazine to 
night, with all the apparatus, under the chance, and after gaining a proper dis- 
bottom of the Eagle, a sixty-four gun ship, : taiice, for the sake of expedition, rowed 

; on the surface towards the town. Gener- 

^ al Putnam, who had been on the wharf 
'■ anxiously expecting the result, from the 
(first glimmering of light, beheld the ma- 
*> chine near Governor's Island and sent a 
\ whale-boat to bring it on shore. In about 
. twenty minutes afterwards the magazine 
exploded, and blew a vast column of wa- 
', ter to an amazing height in the air. ^ As 
th>i whole business had been kept an invi- 
olable secret, he was not a lutle diverted 
with the various conjectures, whether this 
/stupendous noise was piodu.'.ed by a 
I bomb, a meteor, a water-spout, or an 
>; earthquake. Other operations of a most 
Uerious nature rapidly succeeded, and 
) prevent id a repetition of the experiment. 
On the twenty-second day of August, 
Uhe van of the British lauded on Long Is- 
(land, and was soon followed by the whole 
!' army, except one brigade of Hessians, a 
small body of British, and some conval- 
!escents, left on Staten Lsland. Our troops 
;on Long Island had been commanded du- 
(ring the summer by General Green, who 
;■ was now sick; and General Putnam took 
( the command but two days before the bat- 
^ tie of Flatbush. The instructions to him, 
/pointing in the first place to decisive ex- 
pedients for suppressing the scattering, 
unmeaning, and wasteful fire of our men, 
!' containpd''regulations for the service of 
the guards, the brigadiers, and the field 
Parsons, and some other gentlemen of science, ' oflicers of the day; for the appointment 
was appointed a Captain in the corps of sappers > ^^^^^ encouragement of proper SCOUtS, as 
'■'h capacity he continued to : ^ ke"epin>r the men constantly at 

until the conclusion of the ) "^ " "^ '"' ^ ' ^ .■ .1 k, . ^nW. rr nf 
their po.-^ts; for preventing the burning ot 

{buildings, except it should he necessary^p 
' for milUary purposes, and for prc.ervsng 



" The motley crew, in vessels new, 

With Satan for their guide. Sir, 
Paek'd up ill b;i23, or wnoilen k"!;s, 

Came driving duwii the tide. Sir: 

" Therefore prepare for bloody war ; 

These kegs must all he routed, 
Or snr'-ly we uespis'd shall be, 

And Uritioh courage doub'ed." 

The Royal Iiand now ready stand, 

All raiig'd in dread arraj. Sir, 
Witli stomachs stout, tnsee it out, 

And make a bloody day, Sir. 

The cannons roar from s!iore to shore, 

The small arms make a rattle : 
Since wnrs began, I'm sure no man 

E'er saw so strange a batlle. 

The rebel* vales, the rebel da'es, 

With rebel trees surrounded, 
Thi- distant woods, the hills and floods, 

With rebel echoes sounded. 

The fisli below swam to and fro, 

Attack'd from every quarter : 
" Why sure," thuuiht they, " the Devil'.< to pay 

'Mong'st folks above th^ wjter." 

The kess, 'tis said though strongly made 

Of rebel staves and hoop^, Sir, 
Could lint oppose their pow'rfu foes, 

Theconqu'riiig British troops, Sir. 

From morn to night those men of might, 

Display'd amazing courage: 
And when the sun was fairly down, 

Ketir'd to sup their porridf;e. 



All hundro 1 men, with each a pen. 

Or more, upon mv word, Sir, 
It is most true, would be too few 

Their valor to record, Sir, 

Such feats did they perform that day. 

Upon thiise wiciced ke2;s, Sir, 
That years to come, if they get home. 

They'll make their boasts and brags. Sir. 

Mr. Bnshnell, having been hijjhly recommend- 
ed for his talents bv President Stiles. Genera 



and miners ; in whic 
serve witli that corps 
war 



* The British afTicers were so fond of the word rebel, tha' 
they often, applied it most absurdly. 



4-2 



LIFE. ANECDOTES, AND MER.OIC EXPLOITS, 



private property from pillage and destnic- / 
tion. To these regulations were added, ' 
in a more diffuse, though not less spirited 
and professional style, reflections on the 
distinction of an arnny from a mob; with 
exhortations for the soldiers to conduct 
themselves manfully in such a cause, and 
for the commander to oppose (he enemy's 
approach with detachments of his best 
troops; while he should endeavor to ren- 
der their advance more difficult by con- 
structi'jg abattis, and to entrap iheir par- 
ties by forming ambuscades. General 
Putnam was within the lines, when an 
engagement took place on the 27th, be- 
tween the British army and our advanced 
corps, in which we lost about a thousmd 
men in killed and missing, with the Gene- 
rals Sullivan and Lord Stirling made 
prisoners. But our men, though attacked 
on all sides, fought with great bravery; 
and the enemy's loss was not light. 

The unfortunate battle of Long Island, 
the masterly retreai from thence, and the 
actual pas-age of part of the hostile fleet 
in the East river, above the town, preceded { 
the evacuation of New York. A promo- 
tion of four major-generals, and six briga- 
diers, had previously been made by Con- 
gress. y\fterthe retreat from Lonof Island, 
the main army, consisting, for (he moment, 
of sixty battalions, of which twenty were 
Continental, the residue, levies and mili- 
tia, was, conformably to the exigencies of 
the service, rather than to the rules of 
war, formed into fourteen brigades; Ma- 
jor-General Putnam commanded the right 
grand division of five brigades, the iVIa- 
jors General Spencer and Greene, the 
centre of six brigades, and Major-General 
Heith, the left, which was posted near 
Kingsbridge, and composed of two bri- 
gades. The whole never amounted to 
twenty thuisand effective men; while tlie 
British and German forces, under Sir Wil- 
liam Howe, exceeded twenty-two thou- 
sand: indeed, the minister had asserted in 
parliament, that they would consist of 
more than thirty thousand. Our two 
centre divisions, both commanded by 
General S[)encer, in the sickness of Gen- 
•■'eral Greene, move I towards Mount Wash- 



ington, Harlaem Height^?, and Horn's 
I look, as soon as the final resolution was 
taken in a council of war, on th'' twelfth 
of September, to abandon the city. That 
event, thus circumstanced^ took effect a 
few days after. 

0:i Sunday, the fifieenth, the British, 
after sending three ships of war up the 
North River to Bloomingdale, and keep- 
ing up, for some hours, a severe cannon- 
ade on our lines, from those already in the 
East river, landed in force at Turtle Bay. 
Our new levies commanded by a state bri- 
gf.diergeneral fled without making resis- 
tance. Two brigides of General I'utnam's 
division, ordered to their support, not- 
with.><tanding the exertions of their briga- 
diers, and of the commander-in-chief 
himself, who came up at the instant, con- 
ducted themselves in the same shameful 
hnanner. His excellency then ordered the 
Heights of Harlaem, a strong position, to 
be occupied. Thither, the forces in the 
vicinity, as well as the fugitives, repaired. 
In the meantime, General Putnam, with 
the remainder of his command, and the 
ordinary outposts, was in the city. After 
having caused the brigadiers to begin 
their retreat by the route of Bloomingdale, 
in order to avoid the enemy, who were 
then in possession of the main road lead- 
ing to Kingsbridge, he galloped to call 
off the ])ickets and guards. Having, my- 
self, been a volunteer in his division, and 
acting adjutant to the last regiment that 
left the city, I had frequent opportunities, 
that day, of beholding him, for the pur- 
pose of issuing orders, and encouraging 
the troops, flying, on his horse covered 
with foam, wherever his presence wa.s 
most necessary. Without his extraordi- 
nary exenions, the guards must have been 
inevitably lost, and it is probable the en- 
tire corps would have been cut in pieces. 
When we were not far from Blooming- 
dale, nn aid-de-carnp came from him at 
full speed, to inform that a column of 
British infantry was descending upon our 
right. Our rear was noon fired upon, and 
the colonel of our regimnnt, whose order 
was just communicated for the front to 
file off to the left, was killed on the spot. 



OF MAJOR-G NERAL PUTNAM. 



43 



^^' ith no other loss we joined the army, ^ 
after dark, on the Heights of Harlaetri } 

Iiefure our brigades came in, we were 
given up fcr lost by all our friends. So 
critical, indeed, was our situation, and so 
narrow the gap by which we escaped, that 
the instant we had passed, the enemy clo-s 
sed it by extending thair line from river ^ 
to river. Our men, who had b( en fifteen^ 
hours under arms, harrassed by marching) 
and countermarcliing, in consequence of) 
incessant alarms, exhausted as they were \ 
by heat and thirst, (for the day proved in-? 
supportably hot, and few or none had can- ) 
teens, insomuch, that some died at the) 
brooks where they drank,) if attacked, ( 
could have made but feeble resistance. \ 

If we take into consideration tho debil-^ 
itating sickness which weakened almost) 
all onr troops, the hard duty by which ^ 
they were worn down, in constructing? 
numberless defences, the continual want/ 
of rest they had suffered since the enemy ) 
landed, in guarding from nocturnal sur-^ 
prises, the despondency infused into their ^ 
minds by an insular situation, and a con-^ 
sciousness of inferiority to the enemy in ) 
discipline, together with the disadvanta-' 
geous terms upon which, in their state of? 
separation, they might have been forced > 
to engage, it appears highly probable that) 
day would have presented an easy victory ( 
to the British. On the other side, the ( 
American commander-in-chief had wisely? 
countenanced an opinion, then universal- Ji 
ly credited, that our army was three times 
more numerous than it was in reality. It) 
is not a subject for astonishment, that the \ 
British, ignorant of the existing circuin- \ 

. OS 

stances, imposed upon as to the numbers ; 
by reports, and recollecting what a few I 
brave men, slightly intrenched, had per- ( 
formed at Bunker Hill, should proceed • 
with great circumspection. For their re- ; 
proaches, that the rebels, as they affected \ 
to style us, loved digging better than ', 
fighting, and that they earthed themselves '? 
in holes like foxes, but ill-concealed at ^ 
the bottom of their own hearts the pro- \ 
found impression that action had made, i 
Cheap and contemptible as we had once ) 
seemed in their eyes, it had taught them. 



to hold us in some respect This respect, 
in conjunction with a fixed belief, that the 
enthusiastic spirit of our opposition, must 
soon subside, and that the inexhaustable 
resources of Britain would ultimately tri- 
umph, without leaving anything to chance, 
(not the avarice or treachery of the Bri- 
tish general, as the factious of his own 
nation wished to insinuate,) retarded their 
operation, and afforded us leisure to res- 
cue from annihilation, the miserable relics 
of an army, hastening to dissolution by 
the expiration of enlistments, and the 
country itself from irretrievable subjuga- 
tion. In truth, we are not lkss in- 
debted TO THE M,\TT0CK AT ONE PERIOD, 
THAN TO THE MUSKET AT ANOTHER, FOR 

OUR POLITICAL SALVATION- It required 
great talents to determine when one or 
the other was most profitably to be em- 
ployed. I am aware how fashionable it 
has become to compare the American 
commander-in-chief, for the prudence dis- 
played in those dilatory and defensive op- 
erations, so happily prosecuted, in the ear- 
ly stages of the war, to the illustrious Ro- 
man, who acquired immortality in restor- 
ing the commonwealth bi/ delay. Advan- 
tageous and flattering .is the comparison 
at first appears, it will be found, on exam- 
ination, to stint the American Fabius to 
the smaller moiety of his merited fame. 
Did HE not, in scenes of almost unparal- 
leled activity, discover specimens of tran- 
scendent abilities; and might it not be 
proved, to professional men, that boldness 
in council, and rapidity in execution, 
were, at least, equally with prude.it pro- 
crastination, and the quality of not being 
compelled to action, attributes of his mil- 
itary genius? This, howover, was an oc- 
casion, as apparent as pressing, for attain- 
ing his object by delay From that he 
had everything to gain, nothing to lose. 
Yet there were not wanting j)oliticians, at 
THIS VERY TIME, who querulously blamed 
these Fabian measures, and loudly clam- 
ored that the immense labor and expense 
bestowed on the forti fication of New York 
had been thrown away; that if we could 
not face the enemy there, after so many 
preparations, we might as well relinquish 



44 



LIFE, ANECDOTES. AND HEROIC EXPLOITS 



the contest at once, for we could nowhere 
make a stand: and that if General Wash- 
ington, with an army of sixty thousand 
men, strongly intrenched, declined fight- 
ing with Sir William Howe, who had lit- 
tle more than one third of that number, 
it was not to bf; expected he would find 
any other occasion that might induce him 
to engage. Rut General Washington, 
content to suffer a temporary sacrifice of 
personal reputation, for the sake of secur- 
ing a permanent advantage to his country, 
and regardless of those idle clamors, for 
which lv3 had furnished materials, by ma- 
king his countrymen, in order the more 
efTectually to make his enemy believe his 
force much greater than it actually was, 
inflexii)ly pursued his system, and glori- 
ously demonstrated how poor and pitiful, 
in the estimation of a great mind, are 
the censorious strictures of those novices 
in war and politics, who, with equal rash- 
ness and impudence, presume to decide 
dogmatically on the merits of plans 
they could neither originate nor com- 
prehend! 

Thai night, our soldiers, excessively fa- 
tigued by the sultry march of the day, 
their clothes wet by a severe shower of 
rain that succeeded towards the evening, 
their blood chilled by the cold wind that 
produced a sudden change in the temper- 
ature of the air, and iheir hearts sunk 
within them by the loss of baggage artil- 
lery, and works in which they had been 
taught to put great confidence, lay upon 
their arms, covered only by the clouds of 
an uncomfortable sky. To retrieve our 
disordered affairs, and prevent the enemy 
profiting by them, no exertion was relax- 
ed, no vigilance remitted, on the part of 
our higher officers. The regiments which 
had been least exposed to fatigue that day, 
furnished the necessary pickets to secure 
the arrny from surprise. Those whose 
military lives had been short and unprac- 
tised, felt enough beside the lassit.ide of 
body, to disquiet the lraii(]inlity of their 
repose. Nor had thos* who were older in 
.service, and of more evperience, any sub- 
ject for con>olation. The warmth of en- 
thusiasm seemed to be extinguished. The 



force of discipline had not sufficiently oc- 
cupied its place to give men a depen- 
dence upon each other. We were appa- 
rently about to reap the bitter fruit of that 
jealous policy, which some leading men, 
with the best motives, had sown in our 
federal councils, when they caused the 
mode to be adopted, for carrying on the 
war with detachments of malitia, from ap- 
prehensions that an established continen- 
tal army, after defending the country 
against foreign invasion, might subvert its 
liberties themselves. Paradoxical as it 
will appear, it may be profitable to be 
known to posterity, that while our very 
existence as an independent people was 
in question, the patriotic jealou.sy for the 
safety of our future freedom had been 
carried to such a virtuous but dangerous 
excess, as well nigh to preclude the at- 
tainment of our independence. Happily, 
that limited and hazardous system soon 
gave room to one more enlightened and 
salutary. This may be attributed to the 
reiterated arguments, the open remon- 
strances, and the confidential communi- 
cations of the commander-in-chief, who 
though not apt to despair of the republic,' 
on this occasion expressed himself in 
terms of unusual despondency. He de- , 
dared, in one of his letters, that he found, 
to his utter astonishment and mortifica- 
tion that no reliance could be placed on 
a great portion of his present troops, and 
that, unless efficient measures for estab- 
lishing a permanent force should be spee- 
dily pursued, we had every reason to fear 
the final ruin of our cause. 

Next morning, several parties of the 
enemy appeared! upon the plains in our 
front. On receiving this intelligence, 
General Washington rode quickly to the 
outposts, for the purpose of preparing 
against an attack, if the enemy should ad- 
vance with that design. Lieutenant-Co- 
lonel Knowllon's rangers, a fine sele^'tion 
from the eastern regiments, who had been 
skirmishing with an advanced party, came 
in, and iiuormed the general that a body 
of British were under cover of a small em- 
inence at no considerable distance, fiis 
excellency, willing to raise our men from 



OF MAJOR-GENERAL PUTNAM. ifi 

ihelr dejection by the splendor of some > about forty wounded: our loss in killedj 
little success, ordered iiieutenantColouel > except of two valuable officers, was very 
Knowlton, with his rangers, a!id Major ^ inconsiderable. 

Leitch, with three companies of Weedoa's } \n advantage,* so trivial in itself, pr(>- 
regiment of Virginians, to gain their rear, i duced, in event, a surprisincr and most in- 
while appearances should be m.ade of an ) credible effect upon the whole army, 
attack in front. As soon as th3 enemy s Amongst the troops not engaged, who; 
saw the party sent to decoy them, they ; during the action, were throwing earth 
ran precipitately down the hil!, took pos- from the new trenches, with an alacrity 
session of some fences and bushes, and Mhat indicated a determination to defend 
commenced a brisk firing at long shot. ^ them, every visage was seen to brighten, 
Unfortunately Knowlton and Leitch made •! and to assume, instead of the gloom of 
their onset raiher in flank than in rear. > despair, the glow of annimation. This 
The enemy changed their front, and the ] change, no less su'lden than happy, left 
skirmish at once became close and warm. ) little room to doubt that the men, who ran 
Major Leitch* havmgreceived three balls , the day before at the sight of an enemy, 
through his side, was soon borne from ^ would now. to wipe away the stain of that 
the field; and Colonel Knowlton, who had disgrace, and to recover the confidence of 
distinguished himself so gallantly at the ^ their geaeral, have conducted themselves 
battle of Bunker Hill, was mortally v/oun- in a very different manner. Some altera-" 
dcd immediately after. Their men, how- ' tion was made in the distribution of corps, 
ever, undaunted by these disasters, stimu- , to prevent the British from gaining either 
lated with the thirst of revenge for the ! flank in the succeeding night. General 
loss of their leaders, and conscious of ^ Putnam, who commanded on the right, 
acting under the eye of the Commander- ) was directed in orders, in case the enemy 
in-chief, maintained the conflict with un- ^ should attempt to force the pass, to apply 
common spirit and perseverance. But j for a re-enforcement to General Spencer, 
the general seeing them in need of sup- < who commanded on the left, 
port, advanced part of the Maryland regi- f- General Putnam, who was too good a 

ments of Griffith and Richardson, togeth-^ 

er with such detachments from such east-,' ,. * A transcript from General Washington's Pub- 
, , , . ; lie Orders oi the I all, vvil!, better than any other 

em corps as chanced to be most contigu- ^ document that could be adduced, show his senti- 
OUS to the place of action. Our troops ■' ment on the conductor the two preceding days, 
this day. without exception, behaved with > and how fervently he wished (o foster the good 
the greatest intrepidity. So bravely did J dispositions discovered on the last, 
they repulse the British, that Sir William > "ORDERS. 

Howe moved his reserve, \v\ih two field ^ ^' Head- Quarter's, Harlaem Heights,} 

. _ I- r TT • J { StptcTnOer \ t , 17/0. S 

pieces, a battalion of Hessian grenadiers, ,. pj^role. Leitch. Countersijn, rireima. 
and a company of Chasseurs, to succor S " The General most heartily thanks The troops 
his retreating troops. General Washino-- ,• commanded yesterday by Major Leitch, who first 
ton, not willing to draw on a general ac- ') advanced upon the enemy, and the others who so 
,. J ,. ,° , ° . T S resoluteiv supported them. 1 he behavior yester- 

tion, declined pressing the pursuit. In ;, ^ay was' such a contrast to that of some of the 
this engagement were the second and '> troops the day before, as must show what may be 
third battalions of light infantry, the forty- •' done, where officers and soldiers will exert them- 
second British regiment, and the German ) ^'^'^'^^•^^"^^ more, therefore, tho General calls 
^, /. I -in- ) upon otricers and men, to act up to the noble cause 

Ohasseurs, of whom, eight officers, and 'j i,i ^,,hich they are engajed, and to support the 
upwards of seventy privates, were woun- ? honor and liberties of their country. 
ded, and our people buried nearly twenty, S "The gallant and brave Colonel Knowlton, 

_i i„rt I J „ xu c ij 1X7- u J ) who would have been an honor to any countrv, 

who were left dead on the field. We had ■, .^^^j^^^ f^,,^^^ yesterday, while gloriously fighting, 

~^ ^ ^^ — ^^^^^,, — — ,-,,^ ^^ } Captain Brown is to take the command of the 

*Major Leitch, after languishing soma days, ^ party lately led by Colonel Knowlton. Officers 
died of a locked jaw. and men are to obey him accordingly." 



46 



UFK, ANECDOTES, AND IlEaOIC EXPLOITS 



hiisbaiidiTian himself not to have a respf^ct^ 
fur the labors and improvements of others,) 
strenuously secomled the views of the^ 
commander-in-chief in prevenlintr the de-s 
vastntKMi of firm*, and the violation of(^ 
private property. For, under pretext that / 
the property in this quarter belonged to) 
friends to the British government, as in-^ 
deed it mostly did, a spirit of rapine and 
licentiousne-ss began to prevail, which,) 
unless repressed in the beginning, forbo-; 
ded, besides the subversion of discipline,^ 
the disgrace and defeat of oar arms. ) 

Our new defences now becoming so) 
stronc as not to admit insult with impu-') 
nity, and Sir William Howe, not choosing) 
to place too much at risk in attacking us^ 
in front, on the l2th day of October, leav-; 
ing [^ord Percy with one Hessian and two > 
British brigades, in his lines at Harlaem, ^ 
to cover New York, embarked with the) 
main body of his army, with an intention 
of landing at Thfog's Neck, situated near 
West-Chester, and little more than a 
league above the communication called 
Kingsbridge. which connects New York 
Island with the main. There was noth- 
ing to oppose him; and he effected his de- 
barkation by n'ne o'clock in the morning. 
The same policy of keeping our army as 
compact as possible; the same system of) 
avoiding being forced to action; and the j 
same precaution to prevent the inlerrup-) 
tion of supplies, reinforcements, of re-) 
treat that lately dictated the evacuation > 
of New York, now induced Gen. Wash-) 
ington to move towards the strong^ 
grounds in the upper part of West-Ches- 
ter county. 

General Putnam was with the army at 
White-Plains, and took part in the action 
fought there the 28th of October. It was 
the position of Krigadier-General M'Dou- 
ffal which was attacked, and Washington 
ordered a detachment of the army under 
Major-Goneral Putnam, to support him. 
Some days after this action, General Put- 
nam was ordered to cross the Hudson, 
and provide against an irruption of the 
enemy into New Jersey. He was soon 
followed by Washington with part of his 
army, which took post in the vicinity of) 



Fort Lee, and, after the fall of the Port; 
General Putnam w; s constantly about his 
person during the whole retreat through 
'Sew Jersey, and among the last of the 
fugitive army which crossed ihe Delaware. 
He was then ordered to Philadelph'a to 
fortify and defend the city, which Con* 
gress had ordered to be defended to the 
last extremity. 

Without slopping to dilate on the subse- 
quent incidents, that might swell a folio, 
though hfirc compressed to a single para^ 
graph; without attempting to give in de- 
tail the skillul retrograde movements of 
our Commander-in-chief, v/ho, after de- 
taching a garrison for Fort Washington, 
ijy prc-occupying with extemporaneous re^ 
doubts and intrenchments, the ridges from 
Mile SqUafe to TVk te Plains, and by 
folding one brigade behind another, in 
rear of those ridges that run parallel with 
the ISoUrld^ brought oiX all his artillery, 
stores, and sick, in the face of a superior 
foe; without commenting on the partial 
and e:juivocal battle fought near the last 
m(?ntioiied village, or the cause why the 
British, then in full force, (for the last of 
the Hessian infantry and British light- 
horse had just arrived,) did not more seri-- 
ously endeavor to induce a general pn- 
gagement; without journalizing their mil- 
itary inanoBuvres in falling back to Kings- 
bridge, capturing Fort Washington, Fort 
Lee, and marching through the Jerseys; 
without enumerating the instances of ra- 
pine, murder, hnt and devastation, that 
marked their progress, and filled our bo- 
soms with horror und indignation; with- 
out describing how a devision of our dis- 
solving army, with General Washington, 
was driven before them beyond the Dela- 
ware; Vi'ithout painting the naked and for- 
lorn condition of the-e much injured men, 
amidst the rigours of an inclement season; 
and without even sketching the consterna- 
tion that seized the States al this perilous 
period, when General Lee, in leadi ig from 
the north a small re-inforccinent to our 
troops, was himself taken prisoner by sur- 
prise; when every thing seemed decidedly 
declining to the last extremity, and when 
every prospect but seemed to augment the 



OF MAJOR-GENERAL PUTNAM 



depre?3ion of despair — ^until ihe genius of, Trenton, on the very day he re-crassed 
one man, in one day, at o single stroke, j the river lo surprise the Hessians, expres- 
wrested from the veteran battalions of Dri- ) sing hi!> satisfaciion at Ihe re-eslablishment 
tain and Germany, the fruits acquired by i of that General^s health, and informing, 
the total operations of a successful cam- 1 that if he had n't himsell been well con-^ 
paign, and reanimated ihe expiring hopi^ of } vinced before, of the enemy's intention 
a whole nation, by the glorious enterprise Wo possess themselves of Philadel|)hia,- 
at Trenton. ( as soon a.l the frost should form ice 

While the hostile forces, rashly inflated ; strong enough to transport them and their 
with pride by a series of uninterrupted sue- \ artillery nc'ross the Delaware^ he had 
cesses, and fondly drean^.ing that a period / now obtained an intercepted letter, which 
would soon be put to their labors, by the) placed the matter beyond a douht. He 
completion of their ccmquests, had been I added, that if ihe citizens of Philadelj)hia 
pursuing the wretched remnants of a dis- ) had any regard for the town, not a mo- 
banded army to the banks of the Delaware, meiit*s time should be lost until it should 
General Putnam was diligently employed I be put in the best possible posiure of de- 
in fortifying Philadelphia, the capture of' fence; but lest that should: not be done, he 
which, appeared indubitably to be their ) directed the removal of all public stores, 
principal object. Here, by authority and except provisious necessary for immeii- 
example, he strove to conciliate contend- ^ ate use, to places of greater security. He 
ing fac.ions, and to excilf- the citizens to | queried whether, if a party of miiitia could 
uncommon efforts in defence of everything \ be sent from Philadelphia to support those 
interresting to freemen. His personal in- ; in Jersey, about Mount Holly, it woul::: 
dustry was unparalleled. His orders,* ( not serve to save them from submission? 
with respect to extinguishing accidental \ At the same time he signified, as his opin- 
fires, advancing the public works, as Well / ion, the eX])ediency of sending an active 
as in regard to other important objects, ( and influential officer to inspirit the people, 
were perfectly military and proper. But ( to encourage them to assemble in arms, as 
his health was, for a while, impaired by ) well as to keep those already in arms from 
his nnrelaxed exertions. \ disbanding; and Concluded by manifesting 

The Commander-in-chief, having, in ( a wish that Colonel FormaJi, whom he de- 
spite of all obstacles, made good his re- ') sired to see for that purpose, might be em 
treat over the D =laware, wrote to General \ ployed on the service. 

Putnam, from his camp above the falls of) 
, , ( The enemy had vainly, as incautiously,. 

'As a specimen, the following is preserved: imagined, that to overrun was lo conque; . 

•i They had even Carried their presumption 

•♦GENERAL ORDERS. j ^^ ^^^^ extreme weakness, and expected 

"Head- Quarters, Philadelphia, 1 submission, .so far, as to attempt covering 

December 14, nil}. ( ,, , 41 i u- u.i i j i 

"Colonel Gviffip. is appointed Adjutant Gene- ^ ^^^ ^o^n"7 ^^"-o^S'' ^^hichthey had march^ 

ralto the troops ill and about this city. Aliordersjel, with an extensive chain ot canton- 

from the General, through him, either written or ments. That link, which the post at Tren- 

yerbal, are to be strictly attended to and punctual ^ ^^^ supplied, consisted of a Hessian bri^ 



'^ mTLg of an alarm of fire, the city guards \ g^^e of infantry, a company of chasseurs, 
and patroles are to suffer the inhabitants to pass ) a squadron of light dragoons, and six field 



unmolested, at any hour of the night: and the 1; pieces. At eight o'clock in the morning 
good people of Philadelphia are earnestly reques- \ ^f ^^g twenty-sixth of December, General 
ted and desired to give every assistance ni their) ttt i- , vi » . /• u j j 

power, with engines and buckets, to extinguish Washington, With twenty'fojr hundred 

the fire. And as the Congress have ordered the \ men came upon them, after they had para- 
city to be defended to the last extremity, the Gen-' ^ ded, took one thousand prisoners, and re- 
eral hopes that no person will refuse to give every gg^^ ^^e same day, without loss, to hia 

assistance possible to complete the fortihcations ( ^^ , ,1 . 

that are to be erected in and about the citv. \ encampment. As soon as the troops were 

"ISRAEL PUTNAM," recovered from their excessive fatigue,. 



4y . Llt-R, ANECDOTES, AND HEROIC EXPLOtTS 

General Washington re-crosscd a second ;, of tlie country, going constantly back' 
liinc to Trenlon. On tlic second oljwaids and forwards on the same s '-cret 
Janrarv, Loid Cornwallis, with the bulk ) service; and lastly, if he should discover 
of the British army, advanced upon hira, )any intention or motion of the enemy 
cnnnonaded his post, and offered him Uhat Could be depended upon, and miglit be 
battle: bi^t 'ho two armies being separated ? of consequence, not to fail in conveying 
by the interposition of Trenlon Creek, ) the intelligence, as rapidly as possible by 
G;-neral Washington hnd it in his option to ) express, to head-quarters. Mnjor-General 
decline an engMgement, which he did for ^ Putnam was directed, soon after, to take 
the sake of striking the masterly stroke <; post at Princeton, where he continued un*- 
that he then meditated. Having kindled >til spring. He had never with him more 
frequent fires around his camp, posted ; than a feW hundred troops, though he was 
faithful men to keep them burning, and > only at fifteen miles distant from the ene* 
advanced sentinels, Whose fidelity might ! my's strong garrison of Brunswick. At 
be relied upon, he decamped silently after /one period, from a sadden diminution, oc* 
dark, and, by a circuitous route, reached '^ casioned by the tardiness of the militia 
Princeton at nine o'clock the next morn* |j turning out to replace those whose time of 
ing. The noise of the firing, by which <; service was expired, he hd fewer men for 
he killed nnd captured between five and / duty than he had miles ol frontier to guard, 
six hundred of ihe British brigade in that ^ Nor was the Commander-in-chief in a 
town, was the first notice Lord Cornwal- < more eligible situation. It is true, that 
lis had of the stolen march. GeneraW while he had scarcely the semblance of an 
VV.-ishington, the project successfully ac^^ army, under the specious parade of a park 
complished, instantly filed ofl for the s of artillery, and the imposing appearance 
mountainous grounds of Morristown. — ^ of his head-quarters, established at iM orris* 
Meanwhile, his Lordship, who arrived, by ?town, he kep* up, in the eyes of his coun" 
a forced march, al Princeton, just as he nrymen, as well as in the opinion of his 
had left it, finding that the Americans \ enemy, ihe appealTince of no contemptible 
could not be overtaken, proceeded without, ' force. Pjture generations will find diffi* 
halting>to Brunswick. Realty in conceiving, how a handful oi' new 

On the fifth of January, 177T from ) levied men and militia, who were necessi- 
Pluckemnij Gen. Washington despatched Uatcd to be i-ioculated for the smnll pox in 
an account of this second success to Gen. {th.^ course of the winter, could be subdivi- 
Putnam, and ordered him to move imme" )dcd and ported so advantageously, as efTec- 
diately, with all his troops, to Croswick's, Uually to protect the inhabitaiits, confine 
for the purpose of co'-operating in recov"-)thc enemy, curtail their fornge, ano beat 
ering the .Ferseys; an event, which the .^ up their quarters, without sustaining a sin- 
present fortunate juncture, while the ene'^gle disaster. 

my were vet panic struck, appeared to ^^ _.,. 

promise. The General cautioned him. In the bnttle of Princeton, Captain 
however, if the enemy should still contin- \ MTherson, of the 17th British regiment, 
ue at Brunswick, to guard with great cir- ^a very worthy Scotchman, was desperate^ 
cumspection against a surprise; especially <ly wounded in the lungs, and left with the 
ns they, having recently suffered bytwo^dead. Upon General Putnam's arriving 
attacks, could scarcely avoid being edged hliere, he found him languishing iu ex^ 
with resentment to attempt retaliation. 4reme distress, without a surgeon, without 
His Excellency farther advised him to give 'a single accommodation, and without a 
out his strength to be twice as great as it hViend t.) sjlace the sinking spirit in the 
was; to forward on all the baggage and (gloomy hour of death. H; visited, and 
scattering men belonging to the division ■immediately caused every possible comfort 
destined for Morristown; to employ as ho be a;-lministered to him. Capt. M'Pher- 
many spies as he should think proper; to ) son, who, contrary to all appearances, re- 
keep a number of horsemen, in the dress 'covered, after having demonstrated to Gen- 



OP MAJOR-GENERAL PUTNAM. 



49 



■sral PirLnarn the dignified sense of obliga- < 
tions, which a generous mind wishes not [ 
to conceal, one day, in a firniliar conver- 
isation, demanded, " I'ray, sir, what coun- 
tryman are you?" " An American," an- 
swered the latter, " Not a Yankee?" said 
the othor. " A (u'l blooded one," replied 
the Generrd. " By G — d, I am sorry for 
that," rejoined M'Pherson, '* I did not think 
there coul i be so much goodness and gen- 
■e-'osity in an American, or, indeed, in any 
body "but a Scotchman." 

While the recovery of Caplaim M'Pher- 
so.'i was doub ful, he desired that General 
Putnam would permit a friend in the Bri- 
tish army at Brunswick, to come and assist 
him in making his will. General Put- 
nam, who had tlien only fifty men in his 
whole command, was sadly embarrassed 
by the p/oposition. On the one hand, he 
was not content that a British officer should 
liave an op|)ortunity to spy out the weak- 
ness of his post; on the other, it was 
scarcely in his nature to refuse com- 
plying with a dictate of humanity. He 
luckily bethought himself of an expedient, 
which he hastened to put in practice. A 
'flag of truce was despatched with Captain 
.M'PUerson's request, but under an injunc- 
tion not to return with his friend until after 
dark. In the evening lights were placed 
in all the rooms of the College, and in 
every apartment of the vacant houses 
throughout the town. During the whole 
night, the fifty men, sometimes altogether, 
•and sometimes in small detachments, were 
marched from different quarters, by the 
house in which M'Pherson lay. After- 
wards it was known, that the officer who 
came on tlie visit, at his return, reported 
that General Putnam's army, upon the 
most moderate calculation, could not con- 
sist of less than four or five thousand men. 
^^^ This winter's campaign, for our troops 
•constantly kept the field after regaining a 
footing in the Jerseys, has never yet been 
■faithfully and feelingly described. The 
sudden restoration of our cause from the 
very varge of ruin, was interwoven with 
such a tissue of inscrutable causes and ex- 
traordinary events, that, fearful of doing 
the subject greater injustice, by a passing 



disquisition, than a purposed silence, I 
leave it to the leisure of abler pens. The 
ill policy of the British doubtless contri- 
buted to accelerate this event. For the 
manner, impolitic as inhuman, in which 
they managed their temporary conquests, 
tended evidently to alienate the aifections 
of their adherents, to confirm the waver- 
ing in an opposite interest, to rouse the 
supine into aciivity, to assemble the dis- 
persed to the standard of America, and to 
infuse a spirit of revolt into the minds of 
those men who had, from necessity, sub- 
mitted to their power. Their conduct, in 
warring with fire and sword against the 
imbecility of youth, and the decrepitude 
of age; against the arts, the sciences, the 
curious invent'ons, and the elegant im- 
provements in civilized life; against the 
melancholy widow, the miserable orphan, 
the peaceable professor of humane litera- 
ture, and the sacred mmisterof the gosne], 
seemed to operate as powerfully as if pur- 
posely intended to kindle the dormant 
spark of resistance into an inextin<^u;sh- 
able flame. If we add to the black°cata- 
logue of provocations already enumerated, 
their insatiable rapacity in plundering 
friends and foes indiscriminately ; their 
libidinous brutality in violating the chasti- 
ty of the female sex; their more than Go- 
thic rage in defacing private writings, pub- 
lic records, libraries of leorning, dwellin'^s 
of individuals, edifices for ediication, and 
temples of the Deity; together with their 
insufferable terocity, unprecedented, in- 
deed, among civilized nations, in murder- 
ing on the field of battle the wounded, 
while begging for mercy, in causing their 
prisoners to famish with hunger and cold 
in prisons and prison ships, aijd in carry- 
ing their malice beyond death itself, by de- 
nying the decent rites of sepulture to the 
dead; we shall not be astonished that the 
yeomanry in the two Jerseys, when the 
first glimmering of hope began to break in 
upon them, rose as one man, with the un- 
alterable resolution to .perish in thegenei- 
ous cause, or expel their merciless irv,-- 
ders. 

The principal officers, stationed a- a 
] variety of well ciiosen. and at some iii- 



50 LIFE, ANECDOTES, AND HEROIC EXPLOIIS 

most inaccesbible positions, seemed all to ; about the 30th of January, a foraging pai'-' 
be actuated by the same soul, and only to ) ty, consisting of about four hundred men, 
vie with each other in giving proofs o[ um the opposite side of the Mill^stone, two 
vigilance, enterprise, and valor. From ^ miles from Somerset court-^house. As the 
what has been said respecting the scanti-.; bridge was possessed and defendrd by three 
ne3s of our aggregate force, it will be con- ') field pieces, so that it could not be passed, 
eluded, that the number of men, under the'. General Dickinson, at the head of four 
orders of each was indeed very small. ( hundred militia, broke the ice, crossed the 
But the uncommon alertness of the troops, ^ river where the water was about three 
who were incessantly hovering round the^ feet deep, resolutely attacked, and totally 
enemy in scouts, and the constant comma- < defeated the foragers. Upon their abar;-' 
nication they kept between the several^ doning the convoy, a few prisoners, forty 
stations most contiguous to each other, ? wagons, and more than a hundred draft 
agreeably to the instructions* of the gene-) horses, with a considerable booly of cattle 
ral-in-chief, together with their readiness, j and j-heep, fell into his hands, 
in giving, and confidence of receiving such ^ Nor were our operations on Gen.sral 
reciprocal aid as the exigencies might re-/ Putnam's right flank less fortunate. To 
quire, served to supply the defect of force. ^ give countenance to the numerous friends 

This manner of doing duty not only ^ of the British government, in the county 
put our own posts beyond the reach of ^ of Monmouth, appears to have been a prin- 
sudden insult and surprise, but so exceed-) pnl motive with Sir William H.»we for 
ingly harrassed and intimidated the enemy I stretching the chain of his canionments, 
that foragers were seldom sent out by ( by his own confession,* previously to his 
them, and never, except in very large par-) disaster, rather too far. After that chain 
ties. General Dickenson, who comman-', became broken, as I have already related, 
ded on General Putnam's left, discovered,^ by the blows at Trenton and Princeton, 
— ^ be was obliged to collect, during the rest 

*The annexed private orders to Lord Stirling/' of the winter, the useless remains in his 

will show, in a laconic and military manner, the , barrack'? at Brunswi( k. In the meantime. 

syste.n of service then pursned: . General Putnam was much more success- 

••To Brigadier General Lord Surling. ^, j-^jj j^ ^j^ attempts to protect our dispersed 

"My Lord, , , ) and dispirited friends in tha same district; 

"Yon are to repair to Baskonridge, and take/ l • j -j i 

.u .A f .K .,.^„,.t !,„,., .i,<>,^ ) who, environed on every side by enven- 

upon vou the command oi the troops now there, ( , , • j i 

and such as may bo sent to your care. ^ omed adversaries, remamed inseparably 

'• You are to endeavor, as much as possible, to ) 

harrass and annoy tlie enemy, by keeping scout- \ ''Extract of a Letter from General Sir William 
ing parties constantly or as frequently as possible, > Howe to Lord Georgk Germaine, dated Neio 



around their quarters. ^ York, December 20, lllQ. 

• ' As you will be in the neighborhood of Gener- s, 
alw Dickenson and Warner, 1 recommend it to J. Having mentioned the fruitless attempt of Lord 
you to keep up a correspondence with them, and / Cornwallis to find boats at Corryel's forry to pass 
endeavor to regulate your parties by theirs, so as ! the Deieware — he proceeded thus: 
to have some constantly out. ) *' The passage of the Delaware being thus ran- 

" Use every means in your power to obtain in- ; dered impracticable, his lordship took post at Pen- 
telligence from the enemy; which may possibly nington, in which place and Trenton the two di- 
be better effected by engaging some of those peo- ; visions remained until the fourteenth, when the 
pic who have obtained /rro/crfJOTis, to go in, under 5 weather having become too severe to keep the 
pretMice of asking advice, than by any other ; field, and the winter cantonments being arranged, 
moan-!. ' ) the troops marched from both places to their re- 

'• You will also use every means in your power ' spectivo stations. The chain, I oxen, is rather too 

to obtain and communicate the earliest accounts ji cxtcnsirc, but i was induced to occupy Burling- 

of the enemy's movements; and to assemble in ? ton to cover the county of Monmouth, in which 

the speediest manner possible, your troops, either ', there are many loyal inhabitants; and trusting to 

for offence or defence. " ) the almost general submission of the country to 

" Given at Head- Quarters, ) the southwest of this chain, and to the strength of 

** The Ath day of Feb., 1777. I the corps placed in tho advanced posts, I conclude 

•• GEORGE WASHINGTON." the troops will be in perfect security." 



OP MAJOR-GENERAL PUTNAM, 



51 



fiVeted ill aflecti:!!! to American inde|)en- 
denci;.'' Ho first detached Colonel Gurnej , 
and afierwiirdsj, Major Davis,* with such 
parties of militia as could be -jpared, for 
ihgir support. Several skirmishes occur- 
red, in whicn our people had always the 
advantage^ They took, at ditierent times, 
many prisoners, horses, and wagons, from 
foraging parties. In effect, so well did 
they cover the country, as to induce some 
of the most respectable inhabitants to de- 
clare, that the security of the persons, as 
well aa the salvation of the property of 
many friends to freedom, was owing to the 
spirited exertions ol these two detachments; 
whoj at ihe same time that thoy rescued 
the country from the tyr.mny of tories, 
afforded an opportunity for the militia to 
recover from their consternation, to em- 
body themselves in warlike array, and to 
stand on their defence. 

Daring this period, General Putnam 
having received unquestionable intelli- 
gence that a parly of refugees, in British 
payj had taken post, and were erecting a 
kind of redoubt at Lawrence's Neck, sent 
Colonel Nelson, with one hundred and 
fifty militia, to s irprise them. That offi- 
cer conducted with so much secrecy and 
decision as to take .he whole prisoners. 
Those refugeesf were commanded by Ma- 

*As there happened to be in my possession a 
copy of one of his letters to tliose officers, it was 
thought worthy of insertion hare, ir. order to de- 
monstrate his satisfaction with their conduct. 

*' To Major John Davis, of the tiiird battalion of 
Cnniberiand County MiUtia. 
" Sir, 
*' I am much obliged to you for your activity, 
vigor, and diligence, since you have been under 
my command; you will, therefore, n»:irch your 
men to Philadelphia, and there discharge them; 
Teturninn^ into the store all the ammunition, arms, 
«ud accoutrements, you received at that place. 
"I am, sir, your humble servant, 

"ISRAEL PUTNAM. 
"Princeton, February 5, 1777." 

^Extract of a Letter from General Putnam to ihe 
Council of Siifetij, of Pennsylvania, dated at 
Princeton, February 18, 1777. 

"Yesterday evening, Colonel Nelson, with a 
hundred and fifty men, at Lawrence's Neck, at- 
tacked sixty men of Cortlandt Skinner's brigade, 
commanded by the enemy's renowned lahd 
PILOT, Major Richard Stockton, xoxiiQA them, and 



Jor Stockton, belonging to Skinner's bri- 
^gade, and amounted to sixty in number. 
{ A short time after this event, Lord Corn- 
1 wallis sent out another foraging party to- 
; wards Bound Brook. General Putnam, 
^ having received notice from his emissaries, 
{ detached Major Smith, with a few riflemen, 
^ to annoy the party, and followed himself 
i with the rest of his force. Before he 
\ could come up. Major Smith, who had 
(' fo: med an ambush, attacked the enemy, 
; killed several horses, took a few prisoners, 
s and sixteen baggage wagons, without sus- 
taining any injury. By such operations, 
\ our hero, in the course of the winter, cap- 
)tured nearly a thousand prisoners. 
( In the latter part of February, General 
) Washington advised General Putnam, that, 
) in consequence of a large accession of 
J) strength from New York to the British ar- 
{ my at Brunswick, it was to be apprehended 
1 they woulc! soon make a forward movement 
towards the Delaware: in which case, the 
\ latter was directed to cross the river with 
1 his actual force, to assume the command 
)of the militia who might assemble, to se- ■ 
s cure the boats on the west side of the Dela- 
{ ware, and to facilitate the passage of the 
/ rest of ihe army. But the enemy did not 
) remove from their winter quarters until the 
', season arrived when green forage could 
^ be supplied. In the intermediate period, 
) the correspondence on the part of General 
i Putnam, with the commander-in-chief, con- 
■ sisted principally of reports and inquiries 
\ concernmg the treatment of some of the 
\ tbllovving descriptions of pensons: either of 
^ those who catne within our lines with flags 
/and prfttended flags, or who had taken 
I protection from the enemy, or who had 
{ been reputed disaffected to our cause, or 
)^ who were designed to be comprehended in 
) the American proclarnation. which requir- 
Sed that those who had taken protections 
(should give theiTi to the nearest American 
) officer, or go within the British lines. The 
) letters of his excellency, in return, gene- 
S rally advisory, were indicative of confi- 
(dence and approbation. 

\ took the whole prisoners — among them, the major, 
{ a captain, and three subalterns, with seventy stand 
/ of arms. Fifty of tlie Bedford, Pennsylvania, 
Riflemen behaved like vettrans." 



52 



LIFE, ANECDOTES, AND HEROIC EXPLOITS 



When the spring had now so far advan- 
ced that it was obvious tho enemy would 
soon take the field, the commander-in- 
chief, after desiring General Putnam to 
give the officer who was to relieve him at 
Princeton, ail the information necessary 
for the conduct of ,hal post, appointed that 
general to the command of a separate ar- 
my in the Highlands of Naw York. 

It is scarcely decided, from any docu- 
ments yet published, whether the prepos- 
terous plans prosecuted hy the British gen- 
erals in the campaign of 1777, vrere alto- 
gether the result of their orders from home, 
or whether they partly originated from the 
contingencies of the moment. The sys- 
tem which, at the time, landed to puzzle 
all human conjecture, when developed, 
served also to contradict all reasonable 
calculation. Certain it is, the American 
commander-in-chief was, for a considera- 
ble time, so perplexed with contradictory 
appearances, that he knew not how to dis- 
tribute! his troops, with his usual discern- 
ment, so as to oppose the enemy with equal 
prospect of success in different parts. The 
gathering tempest menaced the northern 
frontiers, the posts in thu Highlands, and 
the city of Philadelphia; but it was still 
doubtful where the fury of the storm would 
fall. At one time. Sir William Howe was 
forcing his way by land, to Philadelphia; 
at another, relinquishing the Jerseys; at a 
third, facing round to make a sudden in- 
road; then embarking with all the forces 
that could be spared from New Vork; and 
then putting out to sea, at the very moment 
when General Burgoyne had reduced Ti- 
conderoga, and seemed to require a co-op- 
t ration in another quarter. 

On our side, we have seen that the old 
continental army expired with the year 
1776 ; since which, invention had been 
tortured with expedients, and zeal with 
eftbrts, to levy another; for on the success 
of the recruiting service, depended the 
salvation of the country. The success 
was such as not to puff us up to presump- 
tion, or depress us to despair. The army 
in the Jerseys, under the orders of the 
general-in-chief, consisted of all the troops 
raised south of the Hudson; that in the 



northern department, of the New Hamp- 
shire brigade, two brigades of Massachu- 
setts, and the brigades of New York, to- 
gether with some irregular corps; and that 
in the Highlands, of the remaining two 
brigades of .Massachusetts, the Connecti- 
cut line, consisting of two brigades, the 
brig-xde of Rhode Island, and one regi- 
ment of New York. Upon hearing of 
the loss of Ticonderoga, and the progress 
of the British towards Albany, General 
Washington ordered the northern army to 
be re en forced vrith the two brigades of 
Massachusetts, then in the Highlands; and 
upon finding the army under his immedi- 
ate command out-numbered by that of Sir 
William Howe, which had, by the circuit-* 
ous route of the Chesapeake, invaded Penn- 
sylvania, he also called from the High- 
Innda one of the Connecticut brigades, and 
that of Rhode Island, to his own assis- 
tance. 

In the neighborhood of General Put- 
nam, th.M'e was no enemy capable of ex- 
citing alarms. The army left at New 
York seeme 1 only designed tor its defence. 
In it were several entire corps, composed 
of tori IS, who had flocked to the British 
standard. There was, besides, a band of 
lurking miscreants, not propsrly enrolled, 
who staid chiefly at West Chester; from 
whence they infested the country between 
the two armies, pillaged the cattle, and 
carried off the peaceable inhabitants. It 
was an unworthy policy in British Gene- 
rals to patroni'/e banditti. The whig in- 
habitants on the edge of our line.«, and 
and still low. r down, who had been plun- 
derd in a merciless manner^ delayed not to 
strip tiie tories in return. People most 
nearly connected and allied, frequently be- 
came most exasperated and inveterate in 
malice. Then the ties of fellowship were 
broken — then, friendship itself being sour- 
ed to enmity, the mind readily gave way 
to private revenge, uncontrolled retalia- 
tion, and all the deforming passions that 
disgrace humanity. Enormities, almost 
without a name, were perpetrated, at the 
discription of which, the bosom, not fro- 
zen to apathy, must glow with a mixture 
of pity and indignation. To prevent the 



OF MAJOR-GENERAL PUTNAM. 53 

predatory incursions from below, and to , repiesenled the heniouscrime ofcondemn- 
cover the county ot' West Chester, Gene- | ing a man commissioned by his majesty, 
ral Putnam detached from his head quarr and threatened vengeance in case he should 
ters, at Peek's-Kil!, Meigs's regiment, \ be executed. General Putnam wrote the 
which, in the course of the campaign, ' following jiithy reply. 
• .struck several partizan strokes, and achie- ; .^ ^ 

ved the objects for which it was sent. He ^ ,, >.t >" ' n i t- 

likewise took measures, without noise or , . ^^^^'^^ ^^^'''''^ f Lieutenant in your 
o.stentation, to secure himself from being ^'"§ « service, was taken u. my camp as a 
surprised and carried wiihin the British 'p-^? ^^'^^ ''"'^'^ ''''' '^'^-^^ ^«« ^«"- 
lines by the tories, who had formed a plan ^emned as yP^-^nd you may restassur- 

for the purpose. The information of this I ^^^' '^'^ ^'^^ f ^'^ ^f ^/^"S"'^ ^\^ "W- 
intended enterprise, conveyed to him) ' I have the honor to be &c., 
through several channels, was corrobora- ' ,, .-r. „ „ ^ srael utnam. 
ted by that obtai led and transmitted by the \ ^^'' Excellency Governor Tryox. 
commander-in-chief. I " P. S. — Afternoon. He is hanged." 

It was not wonderful that many ol these ) Important tran-sactions soc n occurred, 
tories were able, undiscoverd, to penetrate ^ Not long after the ,two brigades had 
far into the country, and even to go with } marched from Peek's Kill to Pennsylvania, 
letters of message from one British army ) a re-enforcement arrived at N. York from 
to another. The inhabitants who were | Europe. Appearances indicated that olTen- 
well affected to the royal cause, aflbrded I; sive operations would follow. GeneialPut- 
them every possible support, and their own ) nam having been reduced in force to a sin- 
knowledge of the different routes gave { gle brigade in the field, and a single regi- 
them a farther facility in performing their / ment in garris m at Fort Montgomery, 
peregrinations. Sometimes the most ac- ; repeatedly intbrmed the commander-in- 
tive loyalists, as the tories wished to de- 1 chief, that the posts committed to his charge 
nominate themselves, who had gone into \ must, in all probability, be lost, in case an 
the British posts, and received promises of ^ attempt should be made upon them; and 
commissions upon enlisting a certain num- ( that, circumstanced as he was, he could 
her of soldiers, came back again secretly ) not be responsible for the consequences, 
with recruiting instructions. Sometimes > His .situation was certainly to be lamented; 
thes>e, and others who came tVom the ene- \ but it was not in the power of the com- 
my, witliin the verge of our camps, were ; mander-in-chief to alter it, except by au- 
detected, and coudemned to death, in con- ) thorizing him to call upon the militia for 
formity to the usages of war. But the } aid — an aid always precarious, and often 
British Generals, who had an unlimited ( so tardy, as, when obtained, to be of no 
supply of money at their command, were ' utility. 

able to pay with so much liberality, that , On the fifth of October, Sir Henry 
emissaries could always be found. Still, Clinton came up the North River with 
it is thought that the intelligence of the \ three thousand men. After making many 
American commanders was, ai least, equal- \ feints to mislead the attention, he landed, 
ly accurate, notwithstanding the poverty y the next mornitjg, at Stony Point, and 
of iheir military chest, and the inability of commenced his march over the mountains 
rewarding mercenary agents, for secret { to Fort Montgomery. Governor Clinton, 
services, in proportion to their risk and ) an active, resolute, and intelligent offiiier. 
merit. I who commanded the garrison, upon being 

A person, by the name of Palmer, who / apprised of the movement, despatc hed a 
was a lieuteaant in the tory new levies, ) letter, by express, to General Putnam, for 
was detected in the camp at Peek's Kill. { siiccor. By the treachery of the messen- 
Governor Tryon, who commanded the new ) ger, the letter miscarried. General Put- 
{evies, reclaimed him as a British officer, nam, astonished at hearing nothing respec- 



64 LIFE, ANECDOTES. AND HEROIC EXPLOITS 

ting the enemv, rode, with General Par- cover of the thick smoke and darkness that 
sons, and Colonel Root, his adjutanl-gen- ^ svuldenly jirevailcd. The capture of this 
era], to reconnoitre them at King's Ferry. S fort by Sir Henry Clinton, logetlier with 
In the meantime, at five o'clock in the af- < the consequent removal of the chains and 
ternoon, Sir Henry Clinton's columns hav- ') booms that obstructed the navigation, open- 
ing surmounted the obstacles and barriers ^ ed a passage to Albany, and seemed to fa-_ 
of nature, descended from the Thunder / vor a junction of his force with that of 
Hill, through thickets, impassible but for S General Burgoyne. But the latter having 
light troops, and attacked* the different re-? been compelled to capitulate a few days 
doubts. The garrison, inspired by the ) after this event, ano great numbers of mi- 
conduct of their leaders, defended the ^ litia having arrived from New England, 
works with distinguished valor. But, as nhe successful army returned to New York; 
the post had been designed principally to I yet not before a detachment from it, under 
prevent the passing of ships, and as an as- } the orders of General Vaughan, had burnt 
sault in rear had not been expected, the ^ the defenceless town of Esopus, and seve- 



works on the land side were incomplete ^ ral scattering buildings on the banks of the 
and untenable. In the dusk of twilight, ^ r.ver. 



the British entered with their bayonets fix- ? Notwithstanding the array in the High- 
ed. Their loss was inconsiderable. Nor ) \g,nds had been so much weakened, for the 
was that of the garrison great. Governor ^ ggj^g gf strengthening the armies in other 
Clinton, his brother. General James Clin- ,j quarters, as to have occasioned the loss of 
ton, Colonel Dubois, and most of the offi- \ port iMontgomery, yet that loss was pro- 
cers and men, effected their escape under ^ductive of no consequences. Our main 



^ army in Pennsylvania, after having con- 
^The author of these memoirs, then major of J tended with superior force in two indeci- 
brigade to the first Connecticut brigade, was alone f sive battles, still held the enemy in check; 
at head-quarters when the firinp began. He has- { while the splendid success which attended 
tened to Colonel Wyilys, (he senior officer in J ^ur arms at the northward, gave a more 
camp, and advised him to despach all the men not ) .^.la- a- ■ 

on duty. 10 Fort Monlgomery. without waiting for > favorable aspect to the American affairs, 
orders. About five hundred men marched in- ( at the close of the campaign, than they 



stantlv, under Colonel Meigs; and the author, ^, J^gj ever before assumed, 
with Dr. Beardsley a surgeon in the brigade ^ ^, ^\,^^^^^y f^]^ b^ck to New York 

rode, at full speed, through a bye-path, to let the / r m i ■ . c ^u 

garrison know that a re-enforcement was on its ( by water, we followed them a part ol the 
march. Notwithstanding all the haste these offi- ^ way by land. Colonel .MeigS, with a dc- 

cers made to and over the river, the fort was so ^^ tachment from the several regiments in 

comnletelv invested on their arrival, that it was ; ^ , p, > i • j u • ,„,i« 

^"" ' , ,- ; „ ,, , Ti,«v won* nn Knarfi tiiA ) Gcucra Parsons s brigade, having made 
impossible to enter. lliey went on Doaid tne < % i -nr 

new frigate which lay near" the fortress, and had < a forced march from Crompond to West 
the misfortune to be idle though not unconcerned, ^ Chester, surprised, and broke up for a 
spectators of the storm. They saw the minutest ; ^j^^g ^j,g k,^„^ of freebooters, of whom 
actions distinctly when the works were carried. ( , , , «• /:r* * *! ..,uu r>,o„„ 

The frigate, after receiving several platoons, slip- \ he brought off fifty, together With many 
ped her cable, and proceeded a little way up the \ cattle and hoFses which they had recently 
river; but the wind and tide becoming adverse, the ) stolen, 
crew set her on fire, to prevent her falling into the ) g^^'^^ ^^^^^ ^^-^^ enterprise. General Put- 

hands of the enemv. whose ships wore approach- ( f^ , '„ . . , ,. 

ing. The lowering darkness of the night, the J "am advanced towards the British lines, 
profound stillness that reigned, the interrupted ) As he had received intelligence that small 
flashes of the flames that illumined the waters, ) bodies of the enemy were out, with orders 
the long shadows of the cliffs that now and then ^ Governor Tryon to burn Wright's 

were seen, the explosion ol the cannon which S i • i j • ■ X. 

were left loaded in the .ship, and the reverberating j mills, he prevented it by detaching three 
echo which resounded, at intervals, between the } parties, of one hundred men in each. One 
stupendous mountains on both sides of the river, / ^f (jjgg^, parties fell in with and captured 
composed an awful night-piece for persons pre- S ,, • . ^ "^ , „,,t,^, r ,♦„ «f «Vin naw 

pared by the precedingsceae, to contemplate Tub- S thirty-five, and another forty, of the new 
jccts of horrid sublimity. levies. But as he could not prevent a 



OF MAJOR-G: NERAL PUTNAM. 



55 



violent cold, which ended in consump- 
tion. It finished a life without a spot — 
and a career of sufferings commenced 
and continued without a fault. 

Sitrhts of wretchedness always touched 



ihird hostile party from burning the house ■ ken away, — that they had frequently been 
of Mr. Van Tassel, a noted whig, and as plundered of their wearing apparel and 
committee-man, who was forced to go ) furniture, she believed by both parties — 
along with tliem, naked and barefoot, on / that they had little more to lose — and that 
ihe icy ground, in a freezing night, he, S she knew not where to procure bread for 
for the professed purpose of retaliation, ( the dear little ones, who had no father to 
sent Captain Buchanan, in a whale-boat, ) provide for them" — no mother — she was 
to burn the house of General Oliver De- ) sointj to have said — but a torent of tears 
lancy, on York Island. Buchanan effec- ( choked articulation. In coming to that 
ted his object, and by this expedition put ? part of the country again, after some cam- 
a period, for the present, to that unmean- ) paigns hid elapsed, I found the habita- 
ing and wanton species of destruction. { tion desolate, and the garden overgrown 
While General Putnam quartered at I with weeds. Upon inquiry, I learnt, that 
New Rochelle, a scouting party, which ) as soon as we left the place, some ruifians 
had been sent to West-Farms, below West '; broke into the house while she lay in bed, 
Chester, surrounded the house in which \ in the latter part of the nighl; and that, 
Colonel James Delancy lodged, and, not- ) hiving been terrified by their rudeness, 
withstanding he crept under the bed, the ) she ran, half naked, into a neighboring 
better to be concealed, brought him to \ swamp, where she continued until the 
Head Quarters before morning. This \ morning — there the poor girl caught a 
officer was exchanged by the British gen- 
eral without delay, and placed at the head i' 
of the cow-boys, a licentious corps of ir- . 
regulars, who in the sequel, committed 
unheard of depredations r.nd excesses. 

It was distressing to seR so beautiful a \ with commiseration the feelings of Gene- 
part of the country so barbarously wasted, ) ral Putnam, and prompted his generous 
and often to witness some peculiar scenes soul to succor the afflicted. But the in- 
of female misery: for most of the female i^ dulgence which he showed, whenever it 
inhabitants had been obliged to fiy within ) did not militate against his duty, towards 
the lines possessed by one array or the |) the deserted and suffering families of the 
other. Near our quarters was an affect- \ tories in the State of New York, was the 
ing instance of human vicissitude. Mr. ^ cause of his becoming unpopular with no 
William Sutton, of Mamaroneck, an in- ) inconsiderable class of people in that 
offensive man, a merchant by profession, ^ State. On the other side, he had con- 
who lived in a decent fashion, and whose ^ ceived an unconquerable aversion to many 
family had as happy prespects as almost ^ of the persons who were intrusted with 
any in the country, upon some imputation \ the disposal of tory property, because he 
of toryism, went to the enemy. His wife, < believed them to have been guilty of pe- 
oppressed with grief, in the disagreeable / culations and other infamous practices, 
state of dereliction, did not long survive.;! But, although the enmity between him 
Betsey Sutton, their eldest daughter, was ^^ and the sequestrators was acrimonious as 
a modest and lovely young woman of mutual, yet he lived in habits of amity 
about fifteen years old, when, at the death ) with the most respectable characters in 
of her mother, the care of five or six <) public departments, as well as in private 
younger children devolved upon her. She \ life. 

was discreet and provident beyond her '> His character was also respected by the 
year.-i; but when we saw her, she looked \ enemy. He had been acquainted with 
to be feeble in health — broken in spirit — \ many of the principal officers in a former 
wan, melancholy and dejected. She said ) war. As flags frequently passed between 
"that their last cow, which furnished < the out-posts, during his continuance on 
milk for the children, had lately been ta- the lines, it was a common practice to for- 



58 



LIFE, ANECDOTES, AND HEilROIC EXPLOITS 



ward newspapers by them; and as those ^ 
printed by Rivington, the Royal printer; 
in New York, were infamous for the false- ) 
hood with which they abounded, General \ 
Putnam once sent a packet to his old \ 
friend, General Robertson, with this billet: ') 
'•Major General Putnam presents his com- ) 
pliments to Major General Robertson, and ? 
sends him some American newspapers for / 
his perusal: when General Robertson) 
shall have done with them, it is requested j 
they be given to Rivington, in order that; 
he may print some truth." ) 

Late in the year we left the lines and ( 
repaired to the Highlands; for upon the/ 
loss of Fort Montgomery, the commander-) 
in-chief determined to build another forti- 
ficatioa for the defence of the river. His \ 
Excellency, accordingly, wrote General 
Putnam to fix upon the spot. After re- 
connoitiing all the different places pro- 
posed, and revolving in his own mind 
their relative advantages for offence on the 
water, and defence on the land, he fixed 
upon West Point. It is no vulgar praise 
to say, that to him belongs the glory of' 
having chosen this rock of our military 
salvation. The position for water-batte- 
ries, which might sweep the channel 
where the river formed a right angle, 
made it the most proper of any for com- 
manding the navigation; while the rocky 
ridges that rose in awful sublimity behmd 
each other, rendered it impregnable, and 
even incapable of being invested with 
less than twenty thousand men. The 
British, who considered this post as a sort 
of American Gibraltar, never attempted 
it but by the treachery of an American 
officer. All the world knows that this 
project failed, and that West Point con- 
trnues to be the receptacle of everything 
valuable, in military preparations, to the 
present day. 

In the month of January, 1778, when 
a snow, two feet deep, lay on the earth, 
General I'arsons's brigade went to West 
Point and broke ground. Want of cover- 
ing for the troops, together with want of 
tools and materials for the works, made 
the prospect! truly gloomy and discourag- 
ing. It was necessary ihat means should 



be found, though our currency was depre- 
ciated, and our treasury exhausted. The 
estimates and requisitions of Colonel la 
Radiere, the engineer who laid out the 
works, altogether disproportioned to our 
circumstances, served only to put us ir» 
mind of our poverty, and, as it were, to 
satirize our resources. Hi.« petulent be- 
havior, and unaccomodnting disposition, 
added farther embarrassments. It was 
then that the patriotism of Governor Clin- 
ton shone in full lustre. His exertions to 
furnish supplies can nevi r be too much 
commended. His influence, arising from 
his popularity, was unlimited: yet he hes- 
itated not to put all his popularity at risk, 
whenever the federal interests demanded. 
Notwithstanding the impediuients that op- 
posed our progress, with his aid, before 
the opening of the campaign; the works 
were in great forwardness. 

According to a resolution of Congress, 
an incjuiry was to be made into the causes 
of military disasters. Major General M'-r 
Dougall; Brigadier General Huntington, 
and Colonel Wigglesworth composed ihe 
Court of Inquiry on the lo^s of Fort 
Montgomery. Upon Mi knowledge and 
mature deliberation of facts on the spot, 
they reported the loss to have been occa- 
sioned by want of men, and not by any 
fault in the commanders. 

General Putnam, who during the inves- 
tigation was relieved from duty, as soon 
as Congress had approved the report, took 
command of the right wing of the grand 
army, under the orders of the General- 
in-chief. This was just after the battle 
of Monmouth, when the three armies, 
which had last year acted separately, join- 
ed at the White Plains. Our effective 
force, in one canjp, was at no other time 
so respectable as at this juncture. The 
army consisted of sixty regular regiments 
of foot, formed into fifteen brigades, four 
battalions of artillery, four regiments of 
horse, and several corps of State troops. 
But as the enemy kept close within their 
lines on York Island, nothing could be 
attempted. Towards the end of autumn 
we broke up the camp, and went first to 



>■ i ^ i l i . _ ! - H tL l i MJ i L.. ' - f .UM ft< 



OF MAJOR-GENERAL PUTNAM. 



S7 



Fredericksburgh, and thence to winter- 
quarters. 

In order to cover the country adjoining 
to the Sound, and to support the garrison 
of West Point, in case of an attack, Ma- 
jor General Putnam, was stationed, for the 
winter, at Heading, in Connecticut. He 
had under his orders, the brigade of New 
Hampshire, the two brigades of Connecti- 
cut, the corps of infantry commanded by 
Hazen, and that of cavalry by Sheldon. 

The troops, who had been l)adly fed. 
badly clothe d, and worse paid, by brood- 
ing over their grievances in the leisure 
and inactivity of winter quarters, began 
to think them intolerable. The Connec- 
ticut brigades formed the design of march- 
ing to Hartford, where the general assem- 
bly were in session, and of demanding re 
dress at the point of the bayonet. -VVord 
liaviug been brought to Genera! Putnam, 
that ihe second brigade was undar arms 
for this purpose, he mounted his horse, 
galloped to the cantonment, and thus ad- 
dressed them: " My brave lads, whither 
are you going? Do you intend to desert 
your officers, and to invite the enemy to 
follow you into the country? Whose 
cause have you been fighting and suffer- 
ing so long in? — is it not your own? 
Have you no property, no parents, wives 
or children? You have behaved like men 
so far — all the world is full of your prais- 
es — and posterity will stand astonished at 
your deeds: but not if you spoil all at last. 
Don't you consider how much the coun- 
try is distressed by the war, and that your 
officers have not been paid any better 
than yourselves? But we all expect bet- 
ter times, and that the country will do us 
ample justice. Let us all stand by one 
another, then, and fight it out like brave 
soldiers. Think what a shame it would 
be for Connecticut men to run away from 
their officers." After the several regi- 
ments had received the General, as he 
rode along the line, with drums beating, 
and presented arms, the .sergeants, who 
had then the command, brought the men 
to an order, in which position they con- 
tinued while he was speaking. When he 
had done, he directed the acting major of 



brigade to give the word for them to shoul- 
der, niarc';i to their regimental parades, 
and loage arms; all which they executed 
with promptitude and apparent good hu- 
mor. One soldier, only, who had been 
the most active, was confined in the quar- 
ter-guard; from whence, at night, he at- 
tempted to make his escape. But (he 
sentinel, who had also been in the mutiny, 
shot him dead on the spot, and thus the 
affair subsided. 

About the middle of winter, while Gen- 
eral Putnam wi's on a visit to his out-post 
ar. Horse Neck, he found Governor Tryon 
advancing rpon that town with a C)rp3 
of fifteen hundred men. To oppose these, 
General Putnam had only a picket of one 
hundred and fifty men, and two iron fiehS 
pieces, without horses or drag-ropes. He, 
however, planted his cannon on the hiorh 
ground, by the meeting-house, and retar- 
ded their approach by firing several times, 
until, preceiving the horse (supported by 
the infantry) about to charge, he ordered 
the picket to provide for their safety, by 
retiring to a swamp, inaccessible to horse, 
and secured his own, by plunging down 
the steep precipice, at the church, upon a 
full trot. This precipice is so steep, where 
he descended, as to have artificial stairs, 
composed of nearly one hundred stone 
steps, for the accommodation of foot pas- 
sengers. There, the dragoons, who were 
but a sword's length from him, stopped 
short; for the declivity was so abrupt, that 
they ventured not to follow; and, before 
they could gain the valley, by going round 
the brow of the hill, in the ordinary road, 
he was fir enough beyond their reach. 
lie continued his route, unmolested, to 
Stamford ; whence, having strengthened 
his picket by the junction of some militia, 
he came back again, and in turn, pursued 
Governor Tryon in his retreat.* As he 
rode down the precipice, one ball, of the 

''In this reti-eat, though with a very inferior 
force, General Putnam made about fifty prisoners, 
part of whom were wounded, and the whol- were 
the next day sent, under the escort of an officer's 
rruard, to tho British lines, for exchange, it was 
for the humanity and kindne.ss of Putnam to tho 
wounded prisoners, lliat Governor Tryon coinpH ■ 
moiited him with the "suit of clothes." 



58 LIFE, ANECDOTES, AND HEROIC EXPLOITS 

many fired at him, went through his bea-j powers of memory are not weakened, it 
ver : but Governor Tryon, by way of / ought to be observed, that he has lately 
compensation for spoiling his hat, sent ^ repeated, from recollection, all the adven- 
him. soon afterwards: as a present, a com- < tures of his life, which are here recorded, 
plete suit of clothes. ^ and which had formerly been communi- 

In the campaign of 1771), which ter- | cated to the compiler in detached conver- 
minated the career of General Putnam's ^ sations. 

services, he commanded the Maryland^ In patient, yet fearless expectation of 
line, posted at Buttermilk falls, about two; the approach of the King of Terrors, 
miles below West t'oint. He was happy I whom he hath full often faced in the field 
in possessing the friendship of the officers < of blood, the Christian hero now enjoys, 
of that line, and in living on terms of / in domestic retirement, the fruit of his 
hospitality with them. Indeed there was ^ early industry. Having in youth provi- 
no family in the army that lived better { <led a competent subsistence for old age, 
than his own. The General, his second ) he was secured from the danger of penu- 
son, Alaj'^r Daniel Putnam, and the writer / rj and distress, to which so many officers 
of these memoirs, composed that family. ^ ;ind soldiers, worn out in the public ser- 
This campriign, principally spent in) vice, have been reduced. To illustrate 
strengthening the works of West Point, ) his merits the more fully, this essay will 
was only signalized for the storm of Stony i be concluded with a copy of the last let- 
Poijit, by the light infantry under the con- uer written to him, by General Washing- 
duct of General Wayne, and the surprise / ton, in his military character, 
of the post of Powles-Hook, by the corps ^ 

under the command of Colonel Henry < "■ Head Quarters, 'id June, 1783. 

Lee. When the army quitted the field,? ., t)„ qn 
and marched to Morristown, into winter) *" ' 

quarters,General Putnam's family went in-^ " Your favor of the 20th of May I re- 
to Connecticut, for a few weeks. In De- ? ceived with much pleasure. Fori can 
cember, the General began his journey ; assure you, that among the many worthy 
to Morristown. Upon the road between ^ and meritorious officers to whom I have 
Pomfret and Hartford, he felt an unusual / had the happiness to be connected in ser- 
torpor slowly pervading his right h;ind } vice through the course of this war, and 
and foot. This heaviness crept gradually ^ from whose cheerful assistance in the va- 
on, until it had deprived him of the use ) rious and trying vicissitudes of a compli- 
of his limbs on that side, in a considera- ) cated contest, the name of a Putnam is 
ble degree, before he reached the house of ) not forgotten ; nor will be but with that 
his friend. Colonel Wadsworth. Still he ( stroke of time which shall obliterate from 
was unwilling to consider his disorder^ my mind the remembrance of all those 
of the paralytic kind, and, endeavored to Moils and fatigues through which we have 
shake it off by exertion. Having found > struggled for the preservation and estab- 
that impossible, a temporary dejection, ( lishinent of the i^(5"/i<5, /.,?6er/iVs, and Zfi- 
disguised, however, under a veil o( i\s-/^ drpmdrnce of our Countri/ 
sumed cheerfulness, succeeded. Hut) "Your congratulations on the happy 
reason, philosofdiy, and religion, soon re- v prospects of peace and independent secu- 
concileil him to his fate. In that situa- Wity, with their attendant blessings to the 
tion he h;is constantly remnined, favored) United Statks, 1 receive with great sat- 
with such a portion of bodily activity as ^ isfaction ; and beg that you will accept a 
enables him to widk and to ride moder- ? return of my gratulations to you on this 
ati^iy ; and letaining, unimpaired, his rel- ) auspicious event — an event in which, 
tsh for enjtiyment, his love of pleasantry. \ great as it is in itself and glorious as it 
his strength of memory, and all the facul-/ will probably be in its consequences, you 
ties of his mind. As a proof that the S have a right to participate largely, from 



OF MAJOR-GENERAL PUTNAM. 



59 



the distinguished part you have contribu- 
ted towards its attainment. 

" But while I contemplate the greatness 
of the object for vvhicli we have contend- 
ed, and felicitate you on the happy issue 
of our toils and labors, which have ter- 
minated with such general ."satisfaction, I 
lament that you should feel the ungrate- 
ful returns of a country, in whose service 
you have exhausted your bodily strength, 
and expended the vigor of a youthful con- 
stitution. 1 wish, however, that your ex- 
pectations of returning liberality may be 
verified. 1 have a hope that they may — 
but should they not, your case will not be 
a singular one. Ingratitude has been 
experienced in all ages, and retublics 
in particular have ever been famed for 
the exercise of that unnatural ana sordid 

VICE. 

"The wSecrktary at War who is 
now here, informs me that you have ever 
been considered as entitled to full pay 
since your absence from the field, and 
that you will be considered in that light 
until the vilose of the war; at which peri- 
od you will be equally entitled to the same 
emoluments of halfpay or commutation 
as other officers of your rank. The same 
opinion is also given by the pay-master- 
general, who is now with the army, em- 
powered by Mr. Morris for the settlement 
of all their accounts, and who will attend 
to your's whenever jou shall think proper 
to send on for the purpose, which it will 
probably be best for you to do in a short 
time. 

" I anticipate, with pleasure, the day, 
and that, I trust, not far off, when I shall 
quit the busy scenes of a military employ- 
ment, and retire to the more tranquil 
walks of dom(;stic life. In that, or what- 
ever other situation Providence may dis- 
. pose of my future days, the remem- 

URANCE OF THE MANY FRIENDSHIPS AND 
CONNEXIONS I HAVE HAD THE HAPPINESS 
TO CONTRACT WITH THE GENTLEMEN OF 
THE ARMY, WILL BE ONE OF MY MOST 

GRATEFUL REFLECTIONS. Under this 
contemplation, and impressed with the sen- 
timents of benevolence and regard, I com- 
mend you. my dear sir, my other friends, 



and with them, the interests and happi- 
?iess of mir dear rountry, to the keeping 

AND PROTECTION OF AlMIGHTY GoD. 

" 1 have the honor to be, &c. 

" George Washington. 

'' To the Hon. Maj. Gen. Putnam " 

The remainder of the life of General 
Putnam was passed in quiet retirement 
with his family. He experienced k\\ in- 
) terruptions in his bodily health, (except 
the paralytic debility with which he was 
afflicted,) retained full possession of his 
mental faculties, and enjoyed the society 
of his friends until the 17th of May, 1790, 
when he was violently attacked with an 
inflammatory disease. Satisfied that it 
would prove mortal, he was calm and re- 
signed, and welcomed the approach of 
death with joy, as a messenger sent to 
call him from a life of toil to everlasting 
rest. On the 19th of May, 1700, he end- 
ed a life which he had spent in cultivating 
and defending the soil of his birth. 
Much of his life bad been spent in 
I arms, and the military of the neighbor- 
hood were desirous that the rite of sepul- 
ture should be accompanied with martial 
honors: they felt that this last tribute of 
respect was due to a soldier, who, from 
a patriotic love of country, had devoted 
the best part of his life to the defence of 
her rights, and the establishment of her 
independence — and who, through long 
and trying services, was never once re- 
pro. iched for misconduct as an officer ; but 
when the disease compelled him to 
retire from service, left it beloved and re- 
spected by the army and his chief, and 
with high claims to the grateful remem- 
brance of his country. 

Under these impressions, the grenadiers 
of the llth regiment, the independent 
corps of artillerists, and the militia com- 
panies in the neighborhood, asembled 
each at their appointed rendezvous, early 
on the morning of the 21st, and having 
repaired to the late dwelling of the de- 
ceased, a suitable escort was formed, at- 
^ tended by a procession of the masonic 
( brethren present, and a large concourse 
\ of respectable citizens, which moved to 



60 



LIFE, AXaJDOrtiS, AND HEROIC EXPLOITS 



the congregational meeting house in < 
Brooklyn; and, after divine service per- l! 
formed by the ilev. Dr. Whitney, all that ( 
was earthly of a patriot and hero waslaid ' 
in the silent tomb, under the discharge of- 
vollies from the infantry, and minute guns ) 
from the artillery. < 

Th'' foUowlnv culo'^iuni roas pronounced ■' 
at thu granc of General Putnam by i 
Dr. A Waldo. ,' 

" Those venerable relics ! once delight- '. 
ed in the endearing domestic virtues, , 
which constitute the excellent neighbor — ' 
husband — parent — and worthy brother ! 
liberal and substantial in his friendship ; — 
unsuspicious — open — and generous ; — 
just and sincere in dealing ; a benevolent / 
citizen of the world— he concentrated in ^ 
his bosom, the noble qualities of an iion- / 

EST MAN. { 

" Born a hero — whom nature tauwht (' 
and cherished in the lap of innumerable ^ 
toils and dangers, he was terrible in bat- ( 
tie! But, from the amiableness of his ^' 
heart — when carnage ceased, his human- s 
ity spread over the Jicld^ like the refresh- ) 
ing zephyrs of a summer's evening ! — The ■ 
prisoner wounded — the sick — the forlorn) 
— experienced the delicate sympathy of^ 
//«<s soldier's PILLOW — the poor, and the ^ 
needy, of every description, received the ■ 



The late Rev. Dr. Dwight, President of 
Yak College, who knero General Put- 
nam intimately, has portrayed his char- 
acter fully in the following inscription, 
lohich is engraven on his tomb. 

Sacred be this Monument 

to the memory 

of 

Israel Putnam, Esquire, 

senior Major- General in ihe armiefl 

of 

the United Slates of America; 

who 

Wiio was born at Salem, 

in the Province of MassachuselU, 

on the 7th day of January, 

A. D. 1718, 

and died 

on the 19th day of May, 

A. D. 1790. 

Passenger, 

if thou art a Soldier, 

drop a tear over the dust of a Hero, 

who, 

ever attentive 

to the lives and happiness of his men, 

dared to lead 

where any dared to follow; 

il a Patriot, 



charitable bounties of this Ckristian ^'■^'"'^'"''®'' "'^ '^'''^'"ff'''^''^'^ '"''^ &^"^"' ^*'''''''®^ 

'. rendered th)' country 

by the Patriot who sleeps beneath this marble; 

if thou art honest, generous, and worthy, 

tender a cheerful tribute of respect 

to a man, 

whoso generosity was singular, 

whoso honesty was proverbial; 

who 

raised himself to universal esteem, 

and offices of eminent distinction, 

by personal worth 

and a 

useful life. 



" He pitied littleness — loved goodness — < 
admired greatness, and ever aspired to its ( 
glorious summit ! The friend, the ser- '^, 
vant, and almost unparralleled lover of/ 
his country ; — worn with honorable age, ^ 
and the former toils of tour — Putnam ! ! 
' Rests from his labors.' I 

" Till niouldoring worlds and tumbling systems burst I , 

When tlio last iriimp ^hiill renovate his dust — 

Still by the mamiate of eternal truth, 

His sou I will 'flourish in ini:iioital youth.' 



"This all who knew him know 
all who loved him, tell." 



-this 



A P P E N J) 1 X 



t'HE important particulars in the life of Goueral Putnam having been already narrated, the re. 
inaining pages will be occupied by revolutionary anecdotes, which tend to show the body of the 
times, its form and pressure, " in those days that literally tried men's souls." The reader will re- 
quire no unusual condiment to give these a keen relish. 

Gener.\l VVard received from the ( mmiufact'ire. Had Vulcan himself sup- 
general Congress the appointment of first ? plied the Grecians with his ctilestiai ar- 
Major-General, ;md second in command ol) mor, and appeared in their ranks, they 
the American army. On the arrival of s would not have been more certain of vic- 
Generai Washington at Cambridge, he ^ tory. 
assumed the command of the right wing > General Pomeroy expressed his slrona 



at Roxbury, and his genera! disposition of 
the troops about Boston, was sanctioned 
by the approbation of the Commander-in- 
chief. From extreme ill health, he re- 
signed his commission in April, 1776; 
but notwithstanding his resignation was 
accepted, at the earnest request of Con 



sense of the blindness of rortune,that, of the 
two volunteer Generals in the battle, War-' 
ren, the young and chivalrous soldier, the 
eloquent and enlightened legislator should 
fall, and he escape, old and useless, un- 
hurt. From age he declined the honora- 
be appointment of Brigadier-General of 



o-ress and General Washington, he con- ] the United States army, and retired from 
tinned in command, near Boston, until the ^ service. But like the veteran war-horse, 
2Uth of i\Iarch, 1777. fie was after- '; when the echoes of his majestic Connec- 
wards a rnetnber of Congress under the ^ ticut rang with the clarion of battle, he 



old confederation and present constitu- 
tion, and died in 180O, aged seventy-three. 
The veteran General Poraeroy heard 
the pealing artillery, which seemed to in- 
vite him to battle ; he was a soldier too 
brave, and a patriot too ardent, to resist a 



spurned the peaceful retreat which his 
long life and long services had demanded. 
Fie preferred even a regiment to inaction, 
and, as a Colonel, marched to join the 
kindred spirit who composed our army m 
the Jerseys. His exposures produced a 



summons so airceeable. He requested a I pleurisy, which proved fatal at Peekskill, 
horse of General Ward, to carry him to ) in New-York, where his country owes him 
the field , delighted at an aid so important, ) a monument, and bravery and patriotism 
it was instantly supplied. With his mus- 'perennial fame. 

to the General Th 



ket and cartridges, he repaired 



Thomas was appointed first 



Neck ; inquiring of a sentry posted there, / Brigadier-General under the United States, 
and viewing the ground and the tremen- { in 177G was appointed Major-General, and 
duous fire across, he was alarmed, not for '{ on the death of Montgomery, repaired to 
himself, but for the horse he had borrow- ; C'anada, to command the American forces 
ed ; he delivered him to the sentry, and ; before Quebec. Their situatioJi was 
coolly marched across. He advanced to ■ nearly desperate; but he was too adven- 
the rail fence on the left. His approach ^ turous to relinquish the enterprise without 
gave new confidence to the men ; they \ one attempt to secure the favors of for- 
received hirn with the highest exultation, \ tune. He endeavored to burn the ene- 
and the name of General Pomeroy rang ) my's naval force before the city by a fire- 
through the line. In early life he had I ship, intending to attack the place during 
been an ingenious mechanic, and many a ( the conflagration; but the fire-ship mis- 
soldier was supplied with arms of his ' carried, and the General was compelled 



6^ 



APPENDIX. 



to order a fetrfeat, during vVhich he died of s general itl the army, and throughout thg 
the small pox at Chamblee. \ country ; a scrutiny, most severe and un- 

The veteran Colonel Joseph F^rye, who ) relenting, Was instituted into the Conduct 
b.ad served in the war of 175'j, was at the ^ of every one, to bring condign punishment 
siege of Louisbourg, and taketi prisoner > on those whose misconduct had caused 
in Fort William Henry, immediately after ( the final issue. ]i.ven Colonel Bridge, 
the battle thti 21st June, wis appointed ^ notwithstanding the severity of his labors, 
MiijorGeneral by the Provincial Con- > and the dangerous and honorable wounds 
gress. He served some time in the revo- ' he received, had to pass thii ordeal of a 
lut onary war, and lived to a very advanced / court martial. 

age, at Fryebiirgh, which received its; Notwithstanding this inquisitorial re- 
uiime from his family. '^ search, we are happy to add, out of neat" 

Colonel Gardner lived a few d lys after ( three thousand, who, at different stages of 
the battle, and on being asked if he was '} the battle, nlust have been engaged in it^ 
well enough to see his son ; "yes," an- ; and most of them for the first lime, four 
swered the hero, •' if he has done his du- ) only were discovered guilty of miscon- 
ty." I'eing informed that he had distin- • duCt. Of these, Majoi* Gridley Was tried 
guished himself, he saw him, and died for neglect of duty. Brigadier-Qeneral 
with the rrlorious consolation of leavinii; ; Green beins: president of the court, which 
the invaluable legacy of his own fame and ^ " find him guilty of breach of orders, and 
his country's gratitude to a son worthy to ' therefore dismiss him from the Massachu-" 
support the honors of his name. / setts service : but on account of his inex- 

The brave Knowlton, from the first • perience and youth, and the great confu- 
moment of the battle to the latest period ( sion which attended that day's transaction 
of the retreat, showed himself worthy the ^ in general, they do not consider him inca^ 
distinguished honor of beino- selected as !> nable of a Continental commission, should 
the first among the Connecticut Cap- the genera! officers recommend him to his 
tains (Excellency." 

He afterwards received the commission ^ Colonel Mansfield was obviously guilty 
of Lieutenant-Colonel, and at the battle Sof an error, arrising only from inexperi- 
of Haarlem Heights, was sent by Wash- ^ ence. Two only were found guilty of 
ington to attack the enemy's rear; a (cowardice; of these Colonel Gerish was 
bloody action ensued; Knowlton and his /certainly guilty of a want of military ar- 
men fought the whole force of the enemy, Wlor and activity, but this was a constitu^ 
of vastly superior numbers, before the tional defect. He was not accused before 
Americans could attack in front, and got ahe committee of Congress by General 
the better of them. He restored by this ^ Putnam, and, in the opinion of the very 
gallant affair a glorious moral force tothe ^ respectable judge advocate who tried hinlj 
army nearly extinguished by disasters; (he was far too harshly treated, 
but it was at the expense of many brave ( The only officer apparently guilty of 
men in the unequal contest; his assistant ^ cowardice. Captain Callender, is a glori- 
officer, Major Loitch, was slain, with three ^ ous instance of the buoyancy of real New 
balls through him, and he himself reaped ( England heroism and there deeming effica- 
itnmor»al honor and immortal life together, cy of a pure conscience, a mind conscious 
Washington paid due honors to his Mif rectitude. The furious denunciation 
memory, in general orders, and declared, \o? Putnam, the condemnation of the courtj 
" he had died a glorious death, which ev- <, and thundering prescription of Washing- 
ery soldier ought to wish for, and would -^ton, would have crushed any one forever, 
have been an honor to any country on ; who was armed with panoply less divine, 
earth." i A committee of Congress was appoint- 

The same indignation felt by Colonel ( ed to inquire into the truth of a 
Prescott, at the loss of the battle, was report, that some officers of the army had 



haen gn'xUy of mi>conduct; they report,^' irJortai passage of the Alps by Hannibal 
that they had made inquiry of Generals He was Major of a battalion of light in- 
Putnam and other officers, who were in ) fantry, at Saratoga, and his services were 
the hottest of the battle, and that the^ acknowledged by Gates, in the highest 
General charged Captain Callender and) terms of approbation. Cilley's regiment, 
another artillery officer, with infamous^ of which he was Lieutenant Colonel was 
cowardice, one of the principal causes of\ the most distinguished corps in the battle 
the defeat, and informed them that he s of Monmouth, and the salvation of the army 
would quit the service if these officers) was owing to their heroic courage. Gen-* 
were not made an example of, and that^ era] Washington acknowledged the ser- 
one of them ought to be shot. The court ^ vice, and sent to inquire what regiment it 
martial condemned Captain Callender, ^ was. "Full blooded yankees, by ...« 
and General Washington approved the^ sir," was the ansvvej' by Dearbon. He was 
judgment, " not only from the particular) afterwards secretary of war, appointed by 
guilt of Captain Callender, but the fatal S Mr. Jefferson; and during the last war 
consequence of such a conduct to the af-( was the first Major-General and senior of- 
my, and the cause to America in general. ) ficer of the American army. 

Notwithstanding this, our hero resolved > Porter, the promising artillerist, who 
to compel the world to acknowledge by; stood by his piece and his Captam to the 
his future conduct, that his past had been j last, has since then risen through every 
mistaken. He continued with his corps ^ grade of office to the rank of E^rigadier- 
as a volunteer, and desperately exposed) General in the army, to which he has ever 
himself in every action. The brave and since belonged ; and has maintained an 
beneficent General Knox, extended to him '; uniform and distinguished reputation as 
his friendship. ^ one of the first artillery officers in service. 

At the battle on Long Island the (!ap-) The important post of Norfolk was in- 
tain and Lieutenant of the company of i trusted to his command the last war, and 
artillery, with which he served, were shot; ) h^ is now stationed at Boston, in com- 
be assumed the command, and fought the S| mand of the very district which he so^ 
pieces to the last; refused to retreat, and, bravely contributed to defend in 1T75. 
the bayonets of the soldiers were jusi) Immediately after the battle of Bunker 
upon him. when a British officer, admir-) Hill, the rank of Majer-General was con- 
ing his chivalrous and desperate courage, ^ ferred on Colonel Gridley. 
interfered and saved his life. ) America commenced her revolution 

General Washington expresssed his ) with but four pieces of cannon, and to 
high approbation of his conduct, gave him ' his mechanical science and ingenuity she 
his hand with his most cordial thanks ; , was indebted for the iirst mortars and 
ordered the sentence of the court martial • cannon ever cast in the country, 
condemning him, to be erased from the ) After being confined some months by 
orderly book, and restored to him his com- ) his wound, he repaired to Cambridge, and 
mission. He held his commission during \ superintended the fortifications erecting 
the war, and left the service at the peace, ( round Boston. On the 4th March, 1776, 
with the highest honor and reputation. ) he was again engaged in erecting Tortifi- 

Captain Dearborn was afterwards high- ^ cations in the night, and the address, sci- 
ly distinguished during the revolutionary ^ ence, and prodigies of labor, displayed at 
War, for his bravery and enterprise. Fie ) Dorchester Heights, were perhaps never 
volunteered at the head of a company of ^exceeded, except on Breed's Hill. These 
men, selected from the regiment to ac- ) works expelled the enemy from Boston. 
Company Arnold in the winter of 1775, j, General Gridley fortified the heights of 
through the trackless wilds, to Quebec ; ( thi.s place and the islands in the harbor, 
anenterprise, which, in daring, hardihood, ) and General Washington urged him to 
and courage, is not surpassed by the im- i accompany the army, but his advanced 



V:4 



APPENDIX. 



age forbade. He retired on h If pay. In seats, John Pigeon and Enoch Preemartj 
1795 he a!?sisted in iiying the cornpr s?ldom present, and Joseph Warren, chair- 
stone of the state house, as he had in 1775 ': in^in, Benjamin 'Jhurch, Benjamin White, 
lo lay the corner .stone of the State, and J Joseph Palmer, Abraham Watson, Samn- 
lived in remnr'cable health to the age of el Holien. Azor Orne, Nathan Gushing, 
tighty-six. a model of courtliness, benefi- > and Richard Dsvens. They were em- 
cence, and hospitality, as well as all the' powered generally to watch over the safe- 
high perfections of a soldier. ty of the commonwealth, and advise Con' 
Colonel Stark will be recognised as the ( gress of such measures as they thought 
hero of Bennington, but it is not so gen- beneficial ; and expressly commissioned: 
erally knoivn th it lie employed an ingen- J " To assemble such and so many of the 
ious and successful expedient to strike a militia, and them to dispose and place 
panic into the enemy, and assist him in where and detain so long as said commit- 
achieving his glorious victory. He had tee shall judge necessary, and discharge 
one iron cannon, but neith.^r powder suffi- ) said militia when the safety of the colony 
^sient to employ it, nor balls; h2 ordered (will admit. And the officers of the said 
an officer, however, to charge it, who ob) militia are enjoined to obey the orders 
jected the want of balls ; '' no matler," ^ and directions of said Committee of Safe- 
said the Colonel, '■ load it with blank car- ( ty. And also to direct the army of this 
tndge, and let the discharge be the signal ' colony to be stationed where said 
for all the troops to rush on the enemy." ^Committee of Safety shall judge most 
The Hessians were panic struck at the ^ conducive to the defence and ser- 
Ihundering report, his troops rushed on with ^ vice of this colony; and ths Gener- 
loud hurras, and the victory was complete. ^, al and other officers of the army are 
Honorable James Winthrop, and James requested to render strict obedience to 
Swan. Esquire, accompanied the rein- ! such orders of said committee ; but Gon- 
forcements to Breed's Hill, with their ^ gress have power to control any order of 
muskets, as volunteers ; fought valiantly, ^ the Committee of Safety. Alsotonomin- 
and the former was wounded. ^ ate persons to Congress to he commission- 
But five days after the battle of Bunker ed officers m the army, and to give enlist- 
Hill, General Ward writes Congress, that, / ing orders to such persons as they think 
unless enlisting orders be immediately ( proper. And if any officers be ready to 
furnished him, he shall be left entirely ^ be commissioned agreeable to the resolve 
nlone The day before, however, that (of this Congress, during the recess of the 
body resolved, that an army of thirty (game, the committee shall fill up and de- 
thousand was necessary, that Massachu- f liver to them commissions to be furnished 
setts would raise thirteen thousand six said Committee in blank for that purpose." 
hundrfd, and that the other New hmgland i This committee distributed beating or 
States should have notice given them, and ^enlisting orders throughout the State to 
be requested to furnish their proportions. , those whom they thought qualified to raise 
But the battle of l,exington was a beacon recruits. The number of a company was 
fire to the neighboring States. The har- ^reduced from one hundred to fifty-nine; 
dy yeomen, whom rage supplied with ; and he who could enlist this number was 
arms, did not wait to he summoned by the > entitled to a Captain's commission, and 
tardy process of legislation ; they seized ^one who procured ten captain with com- 
iheir hunting pieces, and flew to join their (panics to serve under him commanded the 
brethren at the scene of danger. ) regiment. The Congress of Massahu- 
The Committee of Safety, elected anew, ) setts issued an eloquent address to the 
by Congress at every session, were the re- ! people, which would do honor to any le- 
al executive of Massachusetts. The ^gislature on earth. The recrui,ts came in 
■members were now John Hancock and /with spirit, and by the middle of June the 
Benjamin Greenleaf, who never took their "^ New England arnay of citizen soldiers 



APPENDIX. 



65 



enlisted for a few months amounted to ; lonel Wyman, and Major M'Clary, their 
about fifteen hundred troops. ( leaders. 

About ten thousand of these were of > Their Colonel was worthy to command 
Massachusetts; animated with the same Uhis formidable band ; he had been a dis- 
love of liberty which inspired the whole, Uinguished Captain of Provincial Rangers 
they were most confident in the rectitude ) received into the service of the crown; 
of their cause, in which they were thor- ) was at (Quebec, under General Wolfe, and 
oughly instructed by James Otis, who led ;> enjoyed half pay, as a British officer, an 
the forlorn hope of the revolution, John goffering he made with other sacrifices, for 
Adams, (iuincy, Hancock, Samuel Ad- ij the good of his country. 
ams, and other enlightened patriots. And ^ Their Major also was a favorite oflicer. 
they were fighting battles more peculiarly ) Six feet and a half in height, with a Her- 
their own, in defence of their wives, chil- ^culean form in perfect proportions, a voice 
dren, and homes. But the more anima- ^ like Stentor, and strength of Ajax ; ever 
ting consideration to them as soldiers, was ^unequalled in athletic exercises, and un- 
the chivalrous reputation of their ances- |) subdued in single combat ; whole bodies 
tors and themselves, who had been in con- sof men had been overcome by him ; and 
stant battle and constant victory against ^ he seemed totally unconscious that he was 
their formidable savage foe and had more <; not equally unconquerable at the cannon's 
recently proved at Nova Scotia and Louis- ; mouth. His mind and character were of 
burgh that they were equally formidable Uhe same grand and energetic cast with 
against the civilized troops of Europe. <, his person ; and though deficient in the 

The regiment of artillery was organ- / advantages of finished education, he had 
ized under Colonel Richard Gridley, Lieu- ) been a member of the State legislature, and 
tenant-Colonel William Burbeck. Majors ; his mercantile concerns were extensive. 
David Mason and Scarborough Gridley, ( These troops were followed by another 
and ten Captains, with one six, two brass } regiment from New Hampshire, which 
four, and six iron three pound cannon. ) arrived on the fifteenth of June, under 

Rhode Island had sent a regiment to ^ Colonel Reed, Lieutenant-Colonel Gil- 
Massachusetts, imbued with the deter- \ man, and Major Hale, 
mined spirit of civil and religious liberty, ) Connecticut, essentially and undevia- 
whicli the founder of their State main- ;tingly republican, was behind none of the 
tained through every peril. Colonel ; provinces in her determined hostility to 
Green was their commander, one of the (the usurpation and encroachments of the 
most prcunising heroes of the revolution. ? throne. To her antipathy to royalty the 
'JMie elements of a soldier were so mixed > proscribed judges of Charles the First 
in him, that the wise already foresaw his ^ had owed their inviolable asylum in her 
elevated rank among warriors the most (territory. Religious as well as civil lib- 
distinguished. Under him were Lieuten- ^erty was in jeoparcjy, and the former with 
ant-Colonel OIny and Major Boxan, expe- ; her was paramount to all earthly consid- 
rienced soldirs. Two field pieces were derations. In her vocabulary the British 
attached to the corps. Uroops were the Philistines, and Putnam, 

The hardy yeomanry of New Hamp- /the American Samson, a chosen instru- 
shire, beneath whose ponderous strokes ; ment to defeat the foe; and fortunately 
the formidable forests, and the savages ) she inspired her own confidence into all 
who inhabited them, had been leveled^ her sister States. 

with the ground, who had been used to) With their usual sagacity, however, 
little control but what the God of Nature uhcse troops, notwithstanding a confident 
imposed, were moved with indignation at S reliance on supernatural aid, did not neg- 
approaching tyranny. They flocked as hect all human means to secure it. Their 
volunteers to the neighborhood of Boston, ) State government, constitution, and es- 
and chose (!olonel Stark, Lieutenant-Co- Ntab)lshments,continued unchanged. Their 



66 



APPENDIX. 



troops were better armed, better disciplin- 
ed and provisioned, than any troops in 
the New England army. 

General Ward was a gentleman of lib- 
eral education, vigorous understanding, 
and distinguished probity. He had been 
a member of the council, speaker of the 
assembly, and chief justice of one of the 
courts in Massachusetts. He professed 
the rigid tenets of New England religion, 
and his rank and character commanded 
an extensive influence in the country. 
He had also served with reputation in the 
war of 1756, was a Lieutenant-Colonel at 
the storming of Ticonderoga, under Gen- 
eral Abercrombie, and soon after com- 
manded the regiment. He had also been 
a Colonel in the militia, an office from 
which Governor Hutchinson relieved him 
on account of his being too true a patriot. 

General Thomas received the appoint- 
ment of Lieutenant-General, which he 
accepted on the 37th of May. His supe- 



rior talents, cultivated by a liberal educa- 
tion, his gallantry, activity, and vigilance 
as a soldier, purity as a patriot, and hon- 
or as a man, commanded the entire confi- 
dence of all who knew him. He had 
served in the former war with reputation, 
and had already distinguished himself in 
this. Being in command at Roxbury, 
with a feeble force, General Gage had de- 
termined to drive him from that important 
post. But his vigilance detected the de- 
sign, and defeased it. 

On the day fixed for the attack, all his 
troops were paraded, marching them round 
the hill on which he was encamped, in 
view of Boston, and returning those in 
front by a short rout again to the rear, 
they wore the appearance of a long col- 
umn of troops. Being without uniform, 
the deception was perfect, and General 
Gage, alarmed with the show of force, 
relinquished the enterprise. 



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POPULAR ESSAYS ON THE PAST AND PRESENT CONDITION 

OF OUR GLOBE, 

IN CONNECTION AVITH 

GEOLOGY AND ASTRONOMY. 




(Basin of the great Qeyser, in Iceland). 



BY HArfllLTOIV L. S.TIITII, A. I?I., 

rOPULAIl LECTURER ON THE SCIENCES AND BELLKS LETTRES, AND AUTHOR OF THE 
" PRINCIPLES 01'' NATURAL PHILOSOPHY." 



Ill preparinjT this work it has been tlic desipn of the talented author, to present the subject treated 
of. in the most attractive manner, avoiding, as far as consistent, tlie use of technical terms, and in- 
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Ir would 1)0 diHicult for us to name a study more interestiiifr than a history of the Eartli, past add 
present; for by a peculiar and distinct chain of causation, it unites the present with the remote past; 
constantly urges us to look for the beginnin<r of that state of thiufjs we have been contemplating; con- 
ducts us to the boundaries of i)hy&ical science, and even gives us a glimpse of the regions beyond. 

The Astronomer looks upon the heavens as the type of eternitv and immortality. The crystal 
spheres and orbs which he once imagined to exist, are, so far as stability and uniformity are concern- 
ed, now no longer necessary. A few simple motions, results of one law, controled by one Power 
Divine, sustains the mighty fabric. The Geologist looks upon the heavens and upon the earth as but 
everlasting; he comprehends that a thousand changes may come over them, while still they move in 
their grand circles. To him the present configuration of land and sea is but one of the many changes 
through which the globe has passed, and he is prc])ared to admit that the whole human race nriay be 
Bwe[)t away, and a new creation succeed: such catastrophes have occurred. We ask in vain, wheth- 
er other worlds are inhabited; no voice comes from those distant orbs to tell us of life; no eye can 
penetrate so far; we turrr tlnm with a renewed zeal to study ** tlio science of the changes which have 
taken ])laco in tlio organic and inorganic kingdoms of nature," as developed on the surface of our 
own ])lanet. 'I'ho beginning; where shall the beginning be? We endeavor in vain to penetrate the 
almost sepulchral stillness and darkness of the primeval world, and trace with certainty the origin of 
things. All that wo possibly cai know is the simple truth — " In the beginning, Jehovah created the 
heavens and the earth." Certainly there was a day — Geology demonstrates this — when nothing but 
barren rock and wide-spread waters covered the globe. Who, but Jehovah, colled into being the suc- 
cessive races of animal and vegetable life, which have flourished and died? Whose eyes but Jeho- 
vah's has seen the myriads of revolutions during which the immense fossil-bearing beds were deposi- 
ted ? We cannot comprehend those things: 

*' Our noisy years seem moments in the being 
Of the eternal silence." 

The granite pebble which we roll over, heedless and careless, is older by millions of years than the 
first created of our race; and when was that beginning created ? Questions like this, we are forced 
to say, we can no more answer, than we can tell the form, and number, of the inhabitants of the 
evening star. 

"But though philosophers have never yet demonstrated, and perhaps never will bo able to demon- 
strate, what was the primitive state of things in the social and material worlds from which the pro- 
gressive state took its first departure; — they can still, in all the lines of research, go very far back; — 
determine many of the remote circumstances of the past sequences of events; — ascend to a point 
which from our position at least, seems to be near the origin; — and exclude many suppositions re- 
specting the origin itself." And this is the boundary of human knowledge. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



PART I. 

CHAPTER I. 

^ Page. 

Rotundity of the Earth— Apparent motion of the Sun— Angles— Measurement of a Degree, .... 13 

CHAPTER n. 

Apparent motions of the Planets— Ptolemaic System— Measurement of Angles— Diurnal revolu- 
tion of the Earth— Copernican System— Phases of Venus — Religion and Philosophy 25 

CHAPTER m. 
Parallax— Measurement of Distances— Distance of the Moon, how determined— Distance of the 
Sun — Immensity of Creation, 39 

CHAPTER IV. 
Time — Diala and Clepsydree — Sidenal Day — Transit Instrument — Geology and Astronomy, ... . 45 



CHAPTER V. 

The Calendar — Length of the Year — The Ecliptic — Precession of the Equinoxes — Juhan Calen- 
dar — Gregorian Calendar, S3 

CHAPTER VI. 

Right Ascension and Declination — Sun Dials — Dialing — Dials and Clocks, 67 

CHAPTER Vn. 

Measurement of Time — Equation of Time — Longitude — Quadrant — Method of determining ap- 
parent Time, 77 

CHAPTER VHL 

Chronology- — Revolution of the Pole of the Ecliptic — Precession of the Equinoxes — Egyptian 
Zodiacs, 87 

CHAPTER IX. 

Signs of the Zodiac — Line of the Apsides — Change of the eccentricity of the Earth's Orbit,. ... 97 

CHAPTER X. 

The Seasons — Declination of the Sun — Equinoxes — Division of the Earth into five Zones — Sun's 
Path...*. 105 



PART 11. 



CHAPTER I. 

Meteorology — Indications of the Weather — Barometer — Density of the Air — Pressure of the Air 
— Caswell's Barometer, 115 

CHAPTER II. 

Winds — Temperature of Valleys — Trade Winds — Monsoons — Hurricanes — The Siirocco The 

Harmattan — The Simoon, ■, .,..125 

CHAPTER III. 

Clouds and Dew — Formation of Clouds — Various kinds of Clouds — Table Mountain 137 

CHAPTER IV. 

Climate — Distribution of Heat upon the Earth's Surface — Different Lengths of Days Ther- 
mometer — Isothermal Lines — Eflect of Climate on Plants and Animals — Table of Tempera- 
tures, i^-ji 

CHAPTER V. 

Optical Phenomena — Color of the Atmosphere — Halo — Mirage — Meteoric Showers Zodiacal 

Light — Aurora Borealis, I59 



PART III. 



CHAPTER I. 

Structure of the Earth — Probable Thickness of the Earth's Crust — Extent of Surface — Simple 
Substances — Minerals — Stratified Rocks — Succession of Strata 177 

CHAPTER 11. 

Chronological Arrangement of Strain— Fossiliferous Strata — Tertiary System — Secondary For- 
matione— -Unetratified Rocks— Geological Names — Ideal Section of the Crust of the Earth,. . .187 



CHAPTER HI. 

Aqueous Causes of Change — Action of Running Water — Sediment deposited anpually by the 
Ganges — Excavation of a Lava Current — Fluviatile Formatioirs — Peat Bogs, 197 

CHAPTER IV. 

Springs — Artesian Wells — Calcareous Springs — Incrustations and Petrefactions — Silicious 
Springs — Salt Springs — Subterranean Springs iJOT 

CHAPTER V. 

Currents — Gulf Stream — Oceanic Currents, Chart of — Effect of the Ocean upon Coasts — En- 
croachments of the Sea — Reculver Church — The Bore 221 

CHAPTER VI. 

Volcanoes, Distribution of — Line of Volcanic Vents — Rocky Mountains — Isolated Volcanoes,. .235 

CHAPTER VII. 

Volcanic Eruptions — Destruction of Pompeii — Eruptions of Vesuvius — Of Etna — Of Hecla — Of 
Skapta Jokul — Volcanic Islands — Eruption of Jorullo, .243 

CHAPTER VIIL 

Earthquake, Phenomena of — Extent of Country Agitated — Gradual Elevation of Coasts — Tem- 
ple of Jupiter Serapis — Elevation of Coast of Sweden — Earthquake in Calabria — In Peru,... 257 

CHAPTER IX. 

Atmospheric Causes of Change — Sand Floods — Dunes — Chemical Influence of the Atmosphere 
— Disintegration of Granite, 271 

CHAPTER X. 

Vital Causes of Change — Coral Animalcules — Brain-Stone Coral — Madrepores — Appearance of 
Living Corals, 279 

CHAPTER XI. 

Coral Islands — Atolls — Barrier and Fringing Reefs— Whitsunday Island — Bolabola — Formation 
of Atolls and Barrier Reefs, 287 

CHAPTER XII. 

Organic Remains — Infusoria in Flint — Age of the Earth— Minerals and Fossils — Imbedding and 
Preservation of Organic Bodies — Division of the Animal Kingdom, 297 

CHAPTER XUI. 

The Granitic Period— Basaltic Columns— Fingal's Cave — Graptolites — Encrinites— Trilobites — 
Fossil Fishes — Ferns — Fossil Crustaceans— The Belemnite— Flora of the Oolitic Period— Pter- 
odactile — Close of the first Epoch, 302 

CHAPTER XIV. 

Commencement of the Second Period — Fossil Foot-steps — The Labyrinthodon — Dinornis — Ple- 
siosaurus — Ichthyosaurus — Close of the second Epoch, 310 

CHAPTER XV. 

The Tertiary of third Period— Character of the Deposits— Fossil Remains— The Deinotherium— 
Mammoth— Mastodon — Elephant — Megatherium— Irish Elk — Close of Ihe last Epoch, 319 



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